The Weight of This World

The Weight of This World (2017). A dark, gritty “Appalachian noir” novel about two friends, Thad and Aiden, in rural North Carolina, whose lives are upended after they find a large stash of drugs and cash from a dead dealer, forcing them to confront their traumatic pasts, including Thad’s experiences as a combat veteran and Aiden’s childhood trauma. The book is known for its realistic dialogue, lyrical prose, and unflinching look at violence, addiction, and the inescapable weight of history in a struggling region.