The Scranton Trilogy: Exploring Family, Secrets, and Redemption with Barbara J. Taylor
Barbara J. Taylor takes readers on an unforgettable journey with her Scranton Trilogy, a historical fiction series set in early 20th-century Pennsylvania. From miners and evangelists to dreamers and vaudevillians, the trilogy captures the vibrant lives of Scranton’s inhabitants while exploring universal themes of love, loss, and hope.
The series begins with Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night, where a young girl, Violet, is blamed for her sister’s tragic death in 1913. Through meticulous research, Taylor weaves real historical events—like evangelist Billy Sunday’s revival meetings—into her narrative. In All Waiting Is Long, Violet’s adulthood intersects with the harsh realities of eugenics in the 1930s. The final installment, Rain Breaks No Bones, brings us to the 1950s, and tackles themes such as race, decline of coal mining, and even mystical connections to the other side.
Taylor shares how deeply personal family stories and Scranton’s unique history shaped her writing. She delves also into the courage required to write characters outside her own identity, emphasizing the importance of research and trusted feedback.
Above all, the Scranton Trilogy is about hope. While the characters endure tragedy and generational trauma, Taylor leaves readers with a sense of redemption and possibility. Whether you’re drawn to vivid historical settings, complex characters, or multi-generational sagas, the Scranton Trilogy is sure to resonate.
