Nora Shalaway Carpenter's novel, "Fault Lines," explores the complexities of love, loyalty, and environmental concerns in the fictional Appalachian town of Twisted Pines. The story centers around Viv and Dex, two teenagers from very different worlds. Their romance blossoms amid their community’s fight against a highly controversial practice called fracking. As Viv fights to protect her family's land from a gas company, Dex sees fracking as a potential solution to his family's financial struggles. The novel explores their personal battles and societal issues, offering a nuanced portrayal of West Virginia and its diverse population.
“Fault Lines” is filmed in and around Twisted Pines, a fictional small town wrestling with the economic development benefits and environmental costs associated with fracking. Carpenter skillfully interlaces the personal lives of Viv and Dex with the much broader truth of fossil fuel extraction. The story deeply explores the impacts that these crises have on families and communities.
Viv is the spirit of a young woman who experiences a deep connection to nature. She possesses a unique gift that allows her to interact with and comprehend the magical and mystical world of nature. Yet the loss of her mother and aunt deepened her relationship with the land. These experiences have only strengthened her resolve to conserve her family’s land. Viv's character embodies the environmental concerns surrounding fracking, driving her to actively resist the gas company's attempts to secure a right-of-way through her land.
Dex’s family, like many rural families, are going through some significant economic hardships. His mom took a job at the local gas company just to pay the bills. He sees fracking as an opportunity to escape poverty. To him, it provides an opportunity for peace and prosperity. Dex's sense of identity is deeply rooted in his family's struggles, including his father's battle with PTSD and alcoholism. His point shines a light on the economic desperation that can lead communities to support environmentally harmful industries.
Viv and Dex disagree on the ethics of fracking, which sets up the main tension. This fundamental disagreement forces their blossoming relationship to the ultimate test. Viv's passionate opposition clashes with Dex's pragmatic acceptance, forcing them to confront not only their differences but the deeply entrenched societal issues that divide their community. As with Carpenter’s previous work, she ditches easy answers and paints the many layers of the scenario with care and compassion.
Carpenter digs deeper into the implications of fracking and fossil fuel extraction in general through Viv and Dex’s story. This storytelling approach helps illustrate the urgent burdens associated with energy extraction. Through its characters and connections, the book provokes dialogue about climate accountability, economic equity, and the true cost of temporary profit. Carpenter addresses these issues from the perspective of two troubled teens. This technique teaches the subjects in a way that is relevant and comfortable to all skill levels.
This idea plays out in many ways, but one of the most impressive and important parts of “Fault Lines” is its nuanced and complex portrait of West Virginia. Carpenter challenges the stereotypical image of the state often portrayed in popular culture, showcasing its diverse population and multifaceted perspectives. The biracial protagonist is joined by a Latino character who comes out as bisexual. This is a testament to Carpenter’s dedication to uplifting the varied mosaic of identities and lived experiences that make up the Appalachian region.
Carpenter’s prose is as evocative a landscape as you might find, and for readers who know Appalachia, it may prove to be a distinct immersive reading experience. Through her immersive prose, readers are pulled into the rich natural environment and small-town cadence of Twisted Pines. This leap across time and space creates a powerful dynamic that emphasizes the characters’ struggles and triumphs — resonating even more powerfully today. The author’s keen and loving eye for the idiosyncratic beauty of the region infuses her prose with depth and authenticity.
“Fault Lines” doesn’t flinch from addressing the difficult intersections of environmental devastation, economic inequality, and identity creation. It does so without folding up into safe conclusions. Exploring the complex, intersectional reality of these struggles, Carpenter offers a narrative that’s equally intellectual and heart-rending. The novel encourages readers to consider different perspectives and to grapple with the difficult questions surrounding fracking and its impact on communities.
The novel’s greatest strength is its ability to humanize the fracking debate. From theoretical arguments six ways from Sunday, it focuses instead on the very human impact this has on real people and families. By exploring the personal stories of Viv and Dex, Carpenter encourages empathy and understanding, even among those with opposing viewpoints. This nuanced approach is what makes “Fault Lines” such a welcome addition to the current conversation on energy policy and environmental stewardship.