The Wayfaring Stranger

Book excerpt: Bursting forth from the Louisiana Piney Woods is Deep Roots, a collection of short stories from author Curt Iles. In the warm and touching style loved by readers of his previous books, Iles weaves stories of the people, places, and history of rural Louisiana. PLEASE CHANGE TO: In the book that solidified his reputation as a storyteller, Curt Iles released his sixth book, The Wayfaring Stranger. Based on family stories of his great-great-great grandparents, Iles fashions the story of Joseph Moore, an Irish stowaway, searching for freedom and peace. Moore ventures to Louisiana's "No Man's Land" during the turbulent 1850's. While making a new life, he meets Eliza Clark, a young woman with deep roots in the piney woods. The Wayfaring Stranger is the story of how their lives intersect in the pioneer wilderness of mid-nineteenth century Louisiana. It is a riveting tale that will grip readers from its opening scene to dramatic ending.