The Weaning Hill

In the northeast hills of rural Mississippi, Hap Pasley is blindsided when his wife, Lizzie, says she’s leaving him. At the heart of the reason is where they live, a hillock belonging to his family called by locals the Weaning Hill, a place of beginnings. Hap was provided the property to start a career in farming, but he decided to work at the nearby factory instead. Resenting his choice, Lizzie seeks what she thinks she needs in the arms of a man who actually works the land—to disastrous results. Hap, in his shock and misery, turns to drink, with equally horrible results and unexpected ripple effects, when all he really wants is his family back.

Delving into relationships and dependency with a husband and wife, and their respective families, The Weaning Hill tackles their psychological in-depth struggles with temptation, adultery, separation, guilt, remorse— “the human heart in conflict with itself” —and, ultimately, redemption.