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nickiep's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ndvdv's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
What a journey! First of all, I didn't realize this book was actually based off of real-life historical events around a Baby Market in the US that took place between 1930 - 1950, where a woman named Georgia Tann essentially abducted children from poor families and adopted them out to wealthy celebrities and people with political influence. The actual state these adoption houses were in, and specifically the Tennessee Children's Home Society, was atrocious: full of neglect, malnutrition, abuse (physical, mental and sexual), over-crowdedness, disease and in many cases child deaths. The fact that this book is based off of this horrible time in history makes the story that much more profound; where children were taken from their porches, yards, off the streets and even from hospital maternity wards.
"Blank slates just waiting to be filled. They can become anything you want them to be."
Before We Were Yours follows a girl through a past POV as her whole family is disrupted by the removal of her and her siblings from their houseboat in a shanty town on the river. As a reader you embark on her journey through the loss, fear, and devastation she goes through when they are placed in the Tennessee Children's Home Society and the atrocious events her, and her siblings have to endure. The author does a fantastic job in creating visceral reactions within the reader as you navigate this young child's life.
"I want a pain I understand instead of one that I don't. I want a pain that has a beginning and an end, not one that goes on forever and cuts all the way to the bone."
As her story continues, you learn about the grief her family goes through, and what the ramifications of the children being removed from their homes has on everyone. Heartache can lead to actions and decisions that can hurt those around you; and grief can be so gripping, there is no way out.
"I have learned that most people get along as best they can. They don't intend to hurt anyone. It is merely a terrible by-product of surviving."
The present-day timeline of this story slowly brings the reader towards the surrender of the life these characters once knew to the life they now live. The decades between the two points of views shows how their stories and lives diverge from one another and how for some, their paths find their way back to each other.
"What the mind don't 'member, the heart still know. Love, the strongest thang of all. Stronger than all the rest."
"But the love of sisters needs not words. It does not depend on memories, or mementos, or proof. It runs as deep as a heartbeat. It is as ever present as a pulse."
This book is about finding a way to let go while still acknowledging where you came from. It reminds the reader that your life is what you make of it, and not just the circumstances that are done to it. Sometimes one must surrender to the season their life is in, allowing them to move forward while still holding the past dear to them.
"Each scene has its own music, and the music is created for the scene, woven to it in ways we do not understand. No matter how much we love the melody of a bygone day or imagine the song of a future one, we must dance within the music of today, or we will always be out of step, stumbling around in something that doesn't suit the moment."
Before We Were Yours is about loss, love, heartache, growth, survival and acceptance. It's a bittersweet and memorable story about the power of love between family and friends and the depths in which people will go to for those they care about.
"His fingers close over mine, a warm, strong circle, and we walk up the hill away from the ruins of a life that was. And into a life that can be."
"Blank slates just waiting to be filled. They can become anything you want them to be."
Before We Were Yours follows a girl through a past POV as her whole family is disrupted by the removal of her and her siblings from their houseboat in a shanty town on the river. As a reader you embark on her journey through the loss, fear, and devastation she goes through when they are placed in the Tennessee Children's Home Society and the atrocious events her, and her siblings have to endure. The author does a fantastic job in creating visceral reactions within the reader as you navigate this young child's life.
"I want a pain I understand instead of one that I don't. I want a pain that has a beginning and an end, not one that goes on forever and cuts all the way to the bone."
As her story continues, you learn about the grief her family goes through, and what the ramifications of the children being removed from their homes has on everyone. Heartache can lead to actions and decisions that can hurt those around you; and grief can be so gripping, there is no way out.
"I have learned that most people get along as best they can. They don't intend to hurt anyone. It is merely a terrible by-product of surviving."
The present-day timeline of this story slowly brings the reader towards the surrender of the life these characters once knew to the life they now live. The decades between the two points of views shows how their stories and lives diverge from one another and how for some, their paths find their way back to each other.
"What the mind don't 'member, the heart still know. Love, the strongest thang of all. Stronger than all the rest."
"But the love of sisters needs not words. It does not depend on memories, or mementos, or proof. It runs as deep as a heartbeat. It is as ever present as a pulse."
This book is about finding a way to let go while still acknowledging where you came from. It reminds the reader that your life is what you make of it, and not just the circumstances that are done to it. Sometimes one must surrender to the season their life is in, allowing them to move forward while still holding the past dear to them.
"Each scene has its own music, and the music is created for the scene, woven to it in ways we do not understand. No matter how much we love the melody of a bygone day or imagine the song of a future one, we must dance within the music of today, or we will always be out of step, stumbling around in something that doesn't suit the moment."
Before We Were Yours is about loss, love, heartache, growth, survival and acceptance. It's a bittersweet and memorable story about the power of love between family and friends and the depths in which people will go to for those they care about.
"His fingers close over mine, a warm, strong circle, and we walk up the hill away from the ruins of a life that was. And into a life that can be."
taylormac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book had me laughing, crying, emotional, and reflective. I really enjoyed the escape this book brought. Lisa’s writing is so detailed, that it took you away and painted the picture of you. Very well done!
annamaria1970's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Makes me want to learn more on this subject.
lddecker's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
katapiller's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Modern timeline is corny. A book for boomers.
laakin33's review against another edition
5.0
Honey, my little dementia angels are killing it in this game. Both of our sissies reminded me of former residents of mine so honestly this was a heart warmer for me!!!!
Would 10000% recommend for a friendo!!
Would 10000% recommend for a friendo!!
blairfrank's review against another edition
5.0
I had to set this book aside several times for various reasons. This is one of those stories that will remain with me for a long time.
english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing book. Even though this is GM fiction I really don't think there is anything much which would offend the more open minded reader of Isnpy Fiction. This was a great novel about family, secrets, love and friendship. There isn't a "message" as such as the life story of two women, and the question of whether or not lives would have gone differently had different things happened.
Recommended.
Recommended.
june_zhu's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5