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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
It takes a truly special person to turn an entire social movement whose sole purpose was the liberation of 3.6 million people enslaved and treated as second class citizens into a moment of inner growth and self-reflection for a boring white bitch, and for that I commend you, Tracy Chevalier.
For perspective, the protagonist in this book is the 1850's version of the white girl in Brooklyn who feels bad that there aren't any black people in her yoga class. Wow protagonist, I'm sorry YOU feel so bad that you can't help these runaways because you married an asshole. That must really suck. You know what else sucked? SLAVERY. But don't let that get in the way of your inner conflict on whether or not you're a good Quaker.
For perspective, the protagonist in this book is the 1850's version of the white girl in Brooklyn who feels bad that there aren't any black people in her yoga class. Wow protagonist, I'm sorry YOU feel so bad that you can't help these runaways because you married an asshole. That must really suck. You know what else sucked? SLAVERY. But don't let that get in the way of your inner conflict on whether or not you're a good Quaker.
I always enjoy Tracy Chevalier's books and her beautiful descriptions of the little details. This book was a bit slow to start, but still quite enjoyable overall.
I've read a number of Tracy Chevalier novels and have enjoyed them immensely. I was particularly drawn to The Last Runaway as it involves the main character that enjoys sewing quilts, in fact its a theme that dominates many of the female characters free time.
The story follows Honor Bright a young English Quaker who leaves Dorset, England with her sister to start a new life in Ohio during 1850. On arrival she is reliant on the help of strangers, and finds it difficult to adjust to both America and Americans. All very different from her life in in England.
Chevalier writing immerses the reader into the sounds and smells of the burgeoning town where Honor lives. After a very difficult sea journey, Honor finds the help, shelter and employment from Belle and her Milliners store, a character that features throughout the book. Honor finds and settles with a family of American Quakers the Haymakers, where she also finds herself helping and supporting the runaway slave network in Ohio.
Donovan is a slave hunter and brother to Belle, who are as different as chalk and cheese. Donovan encounters Honor earlier in her arrival to Ohio and there paths cross regularly. I was expecting there to be more to their encounters, I can't help but think the author missed an opportunity here.
An interesting insight into the lives of the Quakers, I enjoyed the comparisons between British and American customs, food, buildings and even sewing. Not my favourite of Chevalier books I can't help but think it was missing something.
The story follows Honor Bright a young English Quaker who leaves Dorset, England with her sister to start a new life in Ohio during 1850. On arrival she is reliant on the help of strangers, and finds it difficult to adjust to both America and Americans. All very different from her life in in England.
Chevalier writing immerses the reader into the sounds and smells of the burgeoning town where Honor lives. After a very difficult sea journey, Honor finds the help, shelter and employment from Belle and her Milliners store, a character that features throughout the book. Honor finds and settles with a family of American Quakers the Haymakers, where she also finds herself helping and supporting the runaway slave network in Ohio.
Donovan is a slave hunter and brother to Belle, who are as different as chalk and cheese. Donovan encounters Honor earlier in her arrival to Ohio and there paths cross regularly. I was expecting there to be more to their encounters, I can't help but think the author missed an opportunity here.
An interesting insight into the lives of the Quakers, I enjoyed the comparisons between British and American customs, food, buildings and even sewing. Not my favourite of Chevalier books I can't help but think it was missing something.
I loved reading this story about Honor finding to find her way in the states.
I don’t understand the attraction to Donovan. I feel like being a slave hunter should immediately put you on the no no list. I feel like it could be a push and pull with the hope that people can change. Honor was holding out for the best in Donovan.
Honor really lives up to her name at the end of the story. She hadn’t lied through the book and she didn’t lie when she promised “til death do us part” with her husband.
I’m not sold on Jack. He did redeem himself at the end, but he just seemed like a “meh” husband.
Also, the scene in the cornfield was shocking. So Honor wouldn’t lie but she was fine getting down and dirty in a time that was very very looked down upon? That didn’t seem like a conductive scene to me and seemed really out of place with Honor’s character.
I was hoping Donovan would give the key back to Honor at the end, but that seemed like a loose end we never got closure with.
I don’t understand the attraction to Donovan. I feel like being a slave hunter should immediately put you on the no no list. I feel like it could be a push and pull with the hope that people can change. Honor was holding out for the best in Donovan.
Honor really lives up to her name at the end of the story. She hadn’t lied through the book and she didn’t lie when she promised “til death do us part” with her husband.
I’m not sold on Jack. He did redeem himself at the end, but he just seemed like a “meh” husband.
Also, the scene in the cornfield was shocking. So Honor wouldn’t lie but she was fine getting down and dirty in a time that was very very looked down upon? That didn’t seem like a conductive scene to me and seemed really out of place with Honor’s character.
I was hoping Donovan would give the key back to Honor at the end, but that seemed like a loose end we never got closure with.
Although I liked the setting (Oberlin, Ohio in 1850) and topic (Quakers and abolition) of this novel, I had a hard time relating to the main character, Honor Bright. Overall I enjoyed the story, except for the plot line about Donovan, the resident slave catcher, who develops a weird relationship with Honor. I had a hard time understanding what small sliver of good she was able to see in him.
The novel also made me think about how none of the author's books seem include positive male love interests. Maybe it's saying something about relationships in the context of certain historic times and places, but it's a little depressing. Even Jack has some major character flaws (at least in my opinion), but Honor is told repeatedly that she should stick with him since she can't do any better in the wilderness of Ohio.
The novel also made me think about how none of the author's books seem include positive male love interests. Maybe it's saying something about relationships in the context of certain historic times and places, but it's a little depressing. Even Jack has some major character flaws (at least in my opinion), but Honor is told repeatedly that she should stick with him since she can't do any better in the wilderness of Ohio.
The author pays great attention to the craft in her novels, so much so that for this story she joined a quilting group. Excellent story of a old to new world Quaker adapting to early American ways and the migration of the runaway slaves as they navigate their ways to freedom. Heart retching tales - wondering about my own resolve.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
A slower-moving book than I would have preferred (and I was not a fan of the narrator on the audiobook)...Nevertheless, a really interesting focus on the Quaker community in Ohio in the antebellum period. When Honor Bright comes to Ohio from England in 1850, she, herself, is a runaway, as are many enslaved Africans fleeing from the South. As she finds herself in a small town, she is introduced to a host of people: slave catchers, fellow "Friends", members of the Underground Railroad and love.
Tracy Chevalier is very good at taking a time in history and making it come alive in a enticingly readable way, and her latest novel is no exception. While it might not be mind-blowing or earth-shattering, it's a solid story with characters we can care about and a glimpse of Ohio's role in the Underground Railroad that incites more curiosity about that place and time.