Set in the foothills of 1950s and ‘60s Appalachia, in the rural town of Breathed, Ohio, “a girl comes of age against the knife.” 

Tiffany McDaniel’s second novel and international bestseller “Betty,” is a story inspired by the life of her mother, the hardships she faced and the dark family secrets she uncovers. 

The novel, with Betty as the narrator, details her life as the sixth of eight children born to a Cherokee father and white mother in 1950s Appalachian Ohio. 

Betty, who out of all her siblings inherited the majority of her father’s Cherokee features, grew up experiencing discrimination and racism in her rural community. Despite these challenges, Betty finds solace in storytelling and the beauty of nature, drawing strength from her father’s teachings about their heritage. 

Though Betty’s father is loving and kind, he teaches his children to love the land like their Cherokee ancestors had. Unlike Betty’s mother, who is tormented by her own horrific past, which made her emotionally distant and cruel at times, especially toward Betty. 

Over the years, Betty bears witness to unspeakable horrors that threaten to tear her family apart. Needing an escape, she began to write. Taking pen to paper, Betty records stories of her family’s dark past and present, moments so horrific she could not speak them aloud. 

Betty is more than a coming-of-age story. It is a story of violence, abuse, racism and poverty, but also one of love and family. It is a story that is equal parts beauty and pain. Despite these hardships, Betty grows stronger and more resilient with each turned page. 

McDaniel unflinchingly addresses the violence inflicted on women from both their own blood and the outside world. Betty captures the harsh realities of the feminine experience allowing the reader to feel the pain of every woman in the novel. The story demonstrates how all too often, womanhood is thrust upon girls without consent. 

However, the heavy content is balanced with lyrical and poetic prose, adding a dreamlike quality to even the most heart-wrenching moments. McDaniel’s writing style, rich with vivid descriptions and figurative language, brings life to the hills of Appalachia, personifying it to a character of its own. 

Above all, Betty is a testament to hope, resilience and the strength of the human spirit. With emotional depth and unique writing style, it is a deeply moving and memorable experience that lingers long after the last page.