Snakeroot & Cohosh

Set in 1950s Appalachian Kentucky, Snakeroot and Cohosh by Cathy Schieffelin follows Eva Morgan, who has suffered abuse at the hands of her husband, Luther. She is a gifted herbalist who relies on her healing skills, and she disguises herself as a man named “Enos” in her quest for a new start. She lands a job, leading botanical tours in Helton, armed with knowledge passed down from her late mother. But Luther hasn’t given up on her. He tracks her down, but she asserts her independence. While he promises that he has changed, it is hard for Eva to believe him. However, reconnecting with Luther’s family helps to bring up a past that is as painful as it is a door for healing. Luther fights to regain Eva’s truth and redemption through honesty, music, and woodworking. Can Eva learn to trust again, and is Luther’s proclaimed transformation real?

Cathy Schieffelin writes about generational trauma with unusual intelligence, creating characters that are not only genuinely flawed but also utterly believable. Eva is a character who reveals a lot about survival and taking responsibility for one’s destiny. She meets every criterion for a compelling heroine —emotional depth, realistic characterization, and flaws in character. Her psyche is vividly drawn, and from the moment she leaves Luther, I was keen to watch the internal conflict unfold within her. Luther’s journey grounds the story psychologically. He has suffered from abuse as well, and his regrets underpin his desire for redemption, which is hard-won.

Snakeroot and Cohosh present a finely drawn setting against which domestic abuse, gender constraints in rural Appalachia, and the possibility of change without absolving perpetrators take place. The symbolism in this work captured my interest, especially the medicinal plants, such as snakeroot and cohosh, which represent healing traditions passed between women. The dogbane is initially considered for poisoning Luther, but becomes a symbol of Eva's choice of life over vengeance. The setting breathes with authenticity, from coal-dusted mining towns to misty hollers, clapboard churches, and general stores that give a vividly rendered Kentucky landscape. Schieffelin honors Appalachian culture without exoticizing it, integrating bluegrass music, quilting patterns, and plant wisdom into the identities of the characters. This is a beautifully written story about how love, paired with accountability, can heal even the most broken relationships.