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At the heart of this novel lies Cotella “Telly� Barlow, a character who embodies the complexities and resilience of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Set against the backdrop of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic in Appalachian Virginia, Lying In is not just a historical narrative but a profound exploration of human endurance, love, and sacrifice. The novel’s attention to the intricacies of life in a small, isolated community, combined with its focus on the internal and external struggles of its characters, elevates it beyond mere storytelling to a work of art that offers readers both intellectual engagement and emotional resonance.
