From book jacket: Roxanna begins her story on her 20th birthday -- a day that introduces her to the harsh realities of adulthood and changes the course of her life forever. From this day on, Roxanna is quick to share with the reader the intimate details of 90 years of life in North Carolina. While she rarely leaves the small town of her youth, Roxanna's vision of the world is shaped by intense passions and loyalties and the certain tragedies of a life long lived. ... And her beguiling tale is one that boldly reflects the high and low moments in the development of the modern South and the nation ...