On the mend from bypass surgery and looking for ways to pass a little time, a visit to the local library turned up several books in Sharyn McCrumbs ballad novel series. I am a bit surprised at the virtual lack of interest in this series on Mudcat. She knows first hand and appreciates traditional mountain culture and weaves a specific ballad or song into the theme of each of these books. Have yet to read the novels about Frankie Silver and Tom Dooley but hope to get to them soon.

Along similar lines Charles Vess's graphic novels based on traditional ballads have been put in one volume. I do not think that this was ever successful commercial enterprise but has been of interest to a few folk.

Here is a link to a page about the ballad novels if anyone cares.

Ballad Novels

Link to the graphic novels.