With a cast of cartoon characters the author insists [in A Ballad for Hogskin Hill] that here on the hill is love, security and music. The story moves swiftly from one contrived situation to the next. Working together to thwart the advance of strip mining, the Kentucky people moonshine, cheat on welfare, sing revival hymns and rejoice in repetitive unwed motherhood. Davey commits one large violent act against the coal company, slings his homemade banjo over his shoulder and heads for the highway. Not recommended … because its only strength, the humor, is achieved by stereotyped situations and characterizations. (pp. 29-30)