Like so many men, Prentice Paul Hiller is searching for that elusive 'white buffalo,' that clear image of himself that reveals some meaning and legacy to his life. What he has is a mirror of his past, cracked with the stress of all his memories: a family broken apart by their Appalachian circumstances and the 'great depression;' a childhood tainted by a father's abusive nature; an impetuous marriage and a sorrowful divorce; a subsequent search of 'isms,' for love and meaning in California and Arizona bars; a tableau of horrible events, including a senseless murder and a desert survival. THE CRACKED MIRROR, Reflections of an Appalachian Son, is a fictional memoir which is more truth than fiction, which deals honestly and painfully with the reality that emotional debris can deliver. It is the story of a man, his heritage, his mistakes, and the events which have helped to shape him, and about the demon within that he cannot dispel. The story reveals the man's passionate and provocative views on criminal justice, love, politics, religion, war, and his favorite writers. His views will likely connect with many, and, with some, perhaps not so much. THE CRACKED MIRROR, Reflections of an Appalachian Son, is a compelling and engaging read. ONE READER'S BOOK REVIEW: 5.0 out of 5 starsStrong writing, powerful story... August 1, 2018 Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase Tragedy spares no one, but some of us experience its harsh edges more than others. Billy Ray Chitwood is a writer who has experienced the good, the bad and the ugly. In his fictional memoir, The Cracked Mirror, he brings this knowledgebase to life, and we readers feel, see and know through his brilliant choice of words. This skill is what endears me to his writing.
