After the Fog (The Donora Story Collection)

I am forcing myself to finish this book because it was my book club's pick for the month. Otherwise, I would've dropped it after the first 30 pages. The story (aside from the historical description of the inversion) is ridiculous and unbelievable. It is so drama-filled it makes a soap opera look like a comedy. The language is also over-the-top - from a self-described devout Catholic woman in 1948, the main character sure uses more four letter words than I would have ever imagined. Frankly, I'm disappointed that I had to purchase this for my Kindle rather than get it for free through my library (that doesn't carry it, even though I live mere miles from the setting of the story). It's a waste of money and time.

Reading "After the Fog" was like going back in time with my family. The characters that lived, worked, and saved their money together were living the American Dream. From the meals they loviningly prepared together to the High School football Culture and Spirit, I saw my Pittsburgh family come alive! I loved the author's descriptions the small town mill life, the Catholic traditions, and day-to-day life in the the 1940's. Loved it!

As a native of Pittsburgh, I was eager to read about the mill town of Donora and an event of which I previously knew nothing. Disappointment set in like the story's killer fog, however, about five pages in. I still think there is a good story to be told about this unhappy smog event -- but this book is not it. Although there are not enough available words for me to describe in detail what is not right about this book. I'll summarize: main character is not likeable; secondary characters are not believable; story wanders between hysterics and pseudo-reality; the overuse of local colloquialisms like "yunz" grates on the reader's nerves, and nothing that anyone does is every truly explained or fleshed out. The main character comes on like a combination of Clara Barton and Lindsay Lohan. As a published writer, I was praying for an editor with a really sharp red pencil to show up and rescue me from about 100 pages too many of tedious journeys into the brain of Rose, our plucky heroine.
Don't make the same mistake I did -- finishing this book out of sheer stubborness. This book should go the way of the steel mills in Donora.

After the Fog, by Kathleen Shoop.

This book is set in Donora, Pennsylvania in 1948, at the time of the "killing smog." The protagonist is a nurse, one of only a handful of medical personnel in the small mill town. When the geological features of the area combine with an unusual weather pattern and three mills pumping out poisonous gases into the air, the town is struck by an increasingly thick and deadly fog, which ultimately strikes down many of the townsfolk who are in weak health, before action is finally taken to shut down the mills temporarily, thereby allowing the smog to dissipate.

I absolutely adored this book. I do have to admit that at first I found it a bit slow moving and the mood of the book incredibly depressing. As the story developed however, I found myself staying up far later than I should have just to find out what happened next. What I loved about this book most was the symbolism -- the thicker the fog, the more confused and in the dark the characters were about each other and each others' acts and motivations and feelings. Finally, as the fog cleared, the characters came to see things for what they truly were, and came to appreciate that things had worked out for the best, even if they had not worked out quite the way they had expected. Intertwined with this story is a a mystery never quite fully resolved, but sufficiently resolved to leave you wondering how things worked out.

Over all this was a fabulous story, brilliantly told, which builds throughout until its final denouement. I highly recommend this book. 5 out of 5.

This novel is based on a real event. In 1948, a smog settled over the Pennsylvania mill town of Donora and sickened over 7000 people. The central character, Rose, is a competent nurse, but a very unlikeable character. OK, I get it that life has not been kind to you, Rose. But gee, give those around you a break! Her frustrations and dislikes are glaringly apparent. About mid way thru the book, when Rose shares her 20-year-old secrets with a priest, it becomes clear why she harbors these hateful and resentful feelings. Her torment has given her the drive to become independent, strong and determined to succeed, but at what cost? If only she could be as generous with her own family as she is with her patients.

This book started slow for me (and the reason I give it 4 stars) but about ¼ of the way into it, it pulled me in and I was hooked. I grew to really admire Rose, someone who tried to do her best and was devoted to her family. Very well written.

I love her books! They are so detailed, you really go on a journey!

Check out my site and see more and some photos of what you get.

In her latest book, After the Fog, Kathleen Shoop has woven another compelling story combining history and humanity. Her characters are believable and multifaceted. Her recounting of the events in a small western Pennsylvania mill town, resulting in a sickening and deadly smog, gives a picture of that small but significant historical event and how it affected an entire town. It also provides insight into the life and heart of one of the citizens of that town, Rose Pavlesic. She is a community health nurse, who fiercely protects the well being of her patients, often to the detriment of her own family relationships. It deals with a secret Rose has been harboring her entire adult life, and it deals with the resolution of that secret and the strained relations it has caused. This is not a 'sunshine and flowers' kind of book. It is raw and gritty and exposes some of the darker sides of normal, everyday people. It also shows grace and forgiveness, and in doing so, provides hope for all of us whose life is not picture perfect. This is another great read!

In the 1940's, Donora, Pa., once named the "Arsenal of Democracy", was the home to steel, wire and zinc mills, and in 1948 was the site of one of the worst environmental disasters this country has ever witnessed. It was called "The Killing Fog", as it claimed approx. 90 lives and affected the health and well-being of around 7000 residents. Many illnesses were found linked to the inversion and the deadly fog was one that led to the enactment of the "Clean Air Act" in 1955. Woven into the smog and chaos is the Pavlesic Family. Stubborn, headstrong, Community Nurse; Rose, thought she had seen everything, (including the tragic stillbirth that also took mother, Isabella Greshecky's life) until the fog/smog placed a sickening lid on the industrial community that fateful week in cold Oct.1948. She assisted Dr. Bonaroti, who was stretched as thin as vanity throughout the town as well as trying to care for mill worker husband; Henry, 17 yr. old twins Johnny and Magdelena and elderly, often times suffering from Alzheimer's , "Unc" and quirky, family treasurer, "Auntie Anna". As if her plate wasn't full enough, Rose and Henry had made a home and promise to care for Henry's drunken/gambling addict brother, Buzzy, his ditzy, lazy, Southern belle wife, Sara Clara and their young son, Leo. With trying to pinch every penny so there would be enough for both twins' college educations and, perhaps a dream house for Rose and Henry, came many trials and tribulations and Rose working nights as well as days. In addition to her regular duties, she has to prove her worth as a Community Nurse so the "Community Chest" will loosen up it's purse strings and fund the much needed clinic. Will haughty Mrs. Sebastian go along with this? Or put up road blocks, terminating Rose's position? Overworked and overwrought, the endless string of crisis's take their toll on the ordinarily chaotic but close-knit family. Gambling debts, lies, deceit, withheld knowledge, hurt, shame, growing anger and mistrust leave sooty tracks all over their lives. Rose has to come to grips with a painful fact she has never told anyone--not even the Parish Priest. But, can she, without wrecking the family she so dearly loves? She finds how it feels to lose herself and that sometimes we have to go back five steps before we can take one step forward. Ms. Shoop has written about a struggling family I'd like to read more about. She has artfully painted them into a disastrous situation of monstrous proportions. Her colorful characters and detailed descriptions pull you onto the coal lined streets of Donora, holding your breath as the fog gets heavier and grainier, turning page after page, waiting for it to clear and a miracle for all concerned. Bravo Ms. Shoop! I'll be waiting for your next title and I encourage readers to place this on their "To Be Read" list. Nancy Narma

Wanted more factual historical information on the 1947 Donora tragedy, less on the fictional family aspects. Donated the book.

When I was first approached to review this book, I had never heard of the "killing smog" of Donora. I love learning about historical events so I knew this was probably going to be a very interesting book for me. Before I even received the book in the mail, I was looking up Donora and the horrible smog that enveloped the town. It's both shocking and interesting. Once I received the book and started reading, I was hooked!

After the Fog tells the story of Rose and her family. Rose was raised in an orphanage and has struggled to get to where she is today. She has a husband and two teenage children and she is the community nurse. She juggles being a homemaker while serving the community as the townspeople. In the meantime, the killing smog of 1948 is covering the town making people sick without them even realizing what is happening to them. As Rose tends to the townspeople while trying to secure funding for the Community Nursing Program, her past comes back to haunt her. Rose is challenged in ways she never imagined.

I found Rose to be an amazingly strong woman even though I found her difficult to like at times. At times I found her cold. Other times I felt sorry for her. I did find myself hoping all would turn out well for Rose and her family. I found myself reading After the Fog into the wee hours hours of the morning, just to find out how Rose's story would end.

While reading this book, you can tell that Kathleen Shoop has done much research on Donora and it's killing smog. My hats off to her for writing a great story set in such a horrible, historical event. It made for a great setting for the story. I felt as though I had gone back in time and was walking the smoggy streets of Donora alongside Rose. I got an eerie feeling reading the book which is how I imagined the people of Donora felt at the time. The author nailed the setting perfectly!

I really enjoyed this book and think it would make for a great and interesting book club selection. I have not yet read Kathleen's debt novel, The Last Letter but it is going on my wish list. She is an author I will be keeping an eye on in the future.