Appalachian literature has no small share of silent or non-discursive characters, though the reasons for their wordlessness vary. Some are mute or pretend to be, some choose not to speak or are silenced by grief, trauma or fear. Others mutter monosyllabic responses, stutter, grunt and point, speak in tongues or use idiosyncratic language such as twin-speak. They capture the reader's attention by what they don't say. This collection of new essays analyzes characters who are unable or unwilling to communicate orally, whose lack of voice conveys physical, mental or social hindrance.