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erinloves2read's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, and Rape
gabmc's review against another edition
3.0
3 and 1/2 stars for this one. This author gets better and better and I'm getting sadder and sadder as I'm reaching the end of this 2o book series. Jennifer Chiaverini travels back in time to the American Civil War and a character she first introduced in about book 3 or 4, Joanna, a runaway slave. Joanna was re-captured and sold to another owner further south, making her chances of escaping again even harder. I still find it hard to believe that as little as 200 years ago, slavery existed .... but then I heard a statistic on a podcast today that the richest 8 people in the world own the equivalent of the poorest 3.6 billion people - so I guess maybe we haven't come as far forward as I would like to think.
mschrock8's review against another edition
1.0
Slavery, slavery, slavery and war. Give me back the Elm Creek Quilters.
Slave capture stories are violent.
I usually listen to this series as audio books.
Slave capture stories are violent.
I usually listen to this series as audio books.
meme_too2's review against another edition
5.0
All of her books have been wonderful to read. This one was no exception.
The story goes back in time to a slave who made a quilt once upon a time. The horrors of slavery are not softened or withheld, yet victory triumphs.
Jennifer is a good storyteller and allows us, as well, to see things deeply and emotionally. I will remember this book longer than most.
The story goes back in time to a slave who made a quilt once upon a time. The horrors of slavery are not softened or withheld, yet victory triumphs.
Jennifer is a good storyteller and allows us, as well, to see things deeply and emotionally. I will remember this book longer than most.
tamfilley's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written book about a slave named Joanna who dreams of freedom for her and her loved ones. She was a beautiful, smart, and strong woman. I loved the Historical fiction of this book but at the same time was saddened at the treatment of the slaves in the south.
From book flap:
Though Joanna's freedom proved short-lived -- she was forcibly returned by slave catchers to Josiah Chester's plantation in Virginia -- she left the Bergstrom family a most precious gift, her son. Hans and Anneke Bergstrom, along with maiden aunt Gerda, raised the boy as their own, and the secret of his identity died with their generation. Now it falls to Sylvia -- drawing upon Gerda's diary and Joanna's quilt -- to connect Joanna's past to present-day Elm Creek Manor.
Through hardship and deprivation, Joanna dreams of freedom and returning to Elmcreek farm. Determined to remember each landmark on the route north, Joanna pieces a quilt of scraps left over from the household sewing, concealing clues within the meticulous stitches. Later, in-service as a seamstress to the new bride of a confederate officer, Joanna moves on to Charleston, where the Secrets she keeps will affect the fate of the nation, and her abilities and courage enable her to aid the country and the people she loves most.
From book flap:
Though Joanna's freedom proved short-lived -- she was forcibly returned by slave catchers to Josiah Chester's plantation in Virginia -- she left the Bergstrom family a most precious gift, her son. Hans and Anneke Bergstrom, along with maiden aunt Gerda, raised the boy as their own, and the secret of his identity died with their generation. Now it falls to Sylvia -- drawing upon Gerda's diary and Joanna's quilt -- to connect Joanna's past to present-day Elm Creek Manor.
Through hardship and deprivation, Joanna dreams of freedom and returning to Elmcreek farm. Determined to remember each landmark on the route north, Joanna pieces a quilt of scraps left over from the household sewing, concealing clues within the meticulous stitches. Later, in-service as a seamstress to the new bride of a confederate officer, Joanna moves on to Charleston, where the Secrets she keeps will affect the fate of the nation, and her abilities and courage enable her to aid the country and the people she loves most.
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
The Lost Quilter
In this book of the ongoing saga Sylvia and Sarah have discovered a long lost letter in a drawer.
It speaks of others that they have no idea who they are. Joanna was a Negro slave and has made her way to the north and the quilt made shows the path through various states that she took.
The quilt is known as 3 different names. The journey leads to Elm Creek where she once lived and had a son. There was also an award for her return-1858.
Sylvia knows of others who can help her find the answers as they are historians. Story starts out with Joanna when she is on the run with her infant...
Loved how the quilt comes about and what it all signifies-nobody would ever guess!
So many struggles and beatings and a life so unnormal except those slaves that endured it all.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
In this book of the ongoing saga Sylvia and Sarah have discovered a long lost letter in a drawer.
It speaks of others that they have no idea who they are. Joanna was a Negro slave and has made her way to the north and the quilt made shows the path through various states that she took.
The quilt is known as 3 different names. The journey leads to Elm Creek where she once lived and had a son. There was also an award for her return-1858.
Sylvia knows of others who can help her find the answers as they are historians. Story starts out with Joanna when she is on the run with her infant...
Loved how the quilt comes about and what it all signifies-nobody would ever guess!
So many struggles and beatings and a life so unnormal except those slaves that endured it all.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
wendiwoo1's review against another edition
2.0
This one is slow going for me. It's probably her most powerful book, but the subject matter is difficult for me to get through. It's hard to want to sit down and read about a mother being separated from her children and husband.
So, I finally finished it. I liked the ending, but I felt it was a bit rushed. I liked how Joanna played such an integral part in the reconstruction by doing simply what she did best, nothing fancy, just working hard and being a good mother, wife, and woman. Very inspiring.
So, I finally finished it. I liked the ending, but I felt it was a bit rushed. I liked how Joanna played such an integral part in the reconstruction by doing simply what she did best, nothing fancy, just working hard and being a good mother, wife, and woman. Very inspiring.
jenshim's review against another edition
5.0
I've read most of these in this series and love the beauty with which they are written. This one was the most intriguing in the series and I was engrossed from the very beginning.
beccbugg's review against another edition
4.0
I always love when she does the history of her characters!
plattin's review against another edition
3.0
This book wasn't anything new or spectacular, but it was an interesting story about a runaway slave that had been taken back to her master and is subsequently sold south. Usually books about the Underground Railroad are about successful attempts, so this was an interesting departure.