In The Fields of Fatherless Children, Pamela Steele
In The Fields of Fatherless Children, Pamela Steele
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In The Fields of Fatherless Children
A Novel

Author: Pamela Steele

Narrator: Eleanor Caudill

Unabridged: 8 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/24/2026

Synopsis

For enjoyers of Jeannette Walls and Barbara Kingsolver, a young couple is torn apart by both global conflict and their families’ ancient feud in this love story set in rural Appalachia during the Vietnam War.In late 1960s Appalachia, many things loom darkly over June Branham: the Vietnam War is dividing the country, and a strip mine is eating away the mountain at the head of the holler where she lives, threatening the natural landscape and the only way of life she has ever known. While still in high school, June has fallen in love. She is pregnant, and the father may be Ellis Akers. Ellis is the son of Solomon, a mortal enemy of June’s stepfather, Isom. The feud is so old it fuels two vengeful men with the power of long animosity between rival families.June’s brother, Tom, leaves to enlist in the war, and so does Ellis. Suddenly, June is on her own at sixteen with a newborn, and is a mother unable to protect her daughter from the wrath of Isom. Without warning, her baby is kidnapped. Guided by her love for the generations of women before her, but now desperately alone, June must carefully navigate the search for her child alongside family and strangers in a wild and disappearing landscape.In the Fields of the Fatherless Children is a powerful story of love and perseverance, masterfully told by a writer of exquisite care who knows intimately the rural people of this time and place.

About Pamela Steele

Pamela Steele
received an early international perspective on media and culture as the
daughter of a career US military father and Portuguese mother. Today her voice
can be heard on a daily basis throughout the United States, South America, and
Europe.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Tini on March 23, 2026

A stark and beautifully rendered Appalachian story of resilience, loss, and survival. Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you. (Proverbs 23:10–11, ESV) Set in 1960s Appalachian mining country, In the Fie......more

Goodreads review by Kelly_Hunsaker_reads on April 10, 2026

In the Fields of Fatherless Children by Pamela Steele is a beautiful meditation on loss, grief, survival and resiliency. The story follows a sixteen year old girl named June, who lives in Appalachian mining country during the 1960s. Her life is marked by poverry, violence, and the Vietnam War. She f......more

Goodreads review by Janine on February 21, 2026

This is a finely crafted novel set in 1960s Appalachian mining country. Like others set in this part of the country, I’m always in a saddened state when done. The poverty, misery and abuse that fall between the pages of these stories are heartbreaking and heart wrenching but make for some of the mos......more

Goodreads review by Liz on April 18, 2026

Life is extremely hard in the hollers of Appalachia during the 1960’s. The Vietnam War is raging and strip mining is ruining the landscape of the countryside. June is a sixteen year old girl, in love and pregnant. She is not sure if the father of her child is her boyfriend or the boy who took advant......more

Goodreads review by Bettina on March 27, 2026

In The Fields of Fatherless Children by Pamela Steele What It’s About Set in rural Appalachia during Vietnam War, the story follows 16-year old June after an unexpected pregnancy. When her stepfather kidnaps the newborn, June sets out to find her daughter while navigating family conflict, hardship an......more

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