John Ehle wrote a novel called 'The Road' as well [1966 IIRC] which is set in the Carolina mtns. Ehle is a NC writer-considered 'regional'. Oddly enough, his style has the noir aspects of Cormac. Ehle has several books based in the appalachians and on 'mountain' society. Ghost
http://www.amazon.com/Road-Appalachi...4599797&sr=1-4