Scan barcode
ashemarsh's review against another edition
5.0
This brought me a lot of thoughts and feelings, and questions, and made me think. I really like when books cause me to think deeply about life.
sharic's review against another edition
5.0
Such heartbreaking true stories - I read this in segments as it was so unbelievable
liz_towery's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing! If you read the first one you must read this one. If you haven't read the first one. Read that, then read this one!
martamcc's review against another edition
2.0
thin gruel, with lots of repetitive details and unnecessary filler from the author’s own background as a smalltown reporter.
candylovegirl's review against another edition
4.0
I had tears in my eyes within the first few pages. The trauma that these children went through and then the fact that the state did nothing to assist blew me away. Their strength and resilience was awe-inspiring. Kudos to the authors for collecting the stories and sharing them with the world.
seaton44's review against another edition
5.0
Touching stories of those whose lives were altered by Georgia Tann and TCHS will leave you with tears in your eyes. I felt as though I got to know each of the people who shared their stories and memories. A beautifully crafted non-fiction that flows like a novel. Through “Before and After”, their legacies will live on forever.
larakai's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. If you've read Before We Were Yours, definitely read this. I found the narrative details a little boring, but the stories are simultaneously devastating and inspiring. I was shocked when I read Before We Were Yours because how on earth could something like that happen and for so long??? Since it's historical fiction, you want to believe that maybe parts are exaggerated... But then there are all of these people who read it and said, "I can relate. This is my story too." So it was nice to learn about some of the real people behind it (nice isn't the right word, but basically I'm glad I read this). 100% recommend both this and the novel (though personally I'd say to read BWWY first).
lcaplin's review against another edition
4.0
Before We Were Yours was such a great novel. It was heartbreaking to read some of the real life stories behind the TCHS nightmare, but I was glad the authors were able to give a voice to some of those impacted. If you haven’t read Before We Were Yours, read that before you read this.
inspiretruth's review against another edition
4.0
The perfect sequel to Before We Were Yours! Hearing true stories of the families affected by Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home was emotional and eye-opening! I had never thought DNA websites were so important, but thinking about all the families who have been separated made me wonder if anything like that has happened in my family!
Lisa Wingate and Judy Christie did a marvelous job with this book! The compilation of life stories and descriptions complemented one another perfectly. I felt as though I were listening to a novel rather than a narration of a historic reunion!
Lisa Wingate and Judy Christie did a marvelous job with this book! The compilation of life stories and descriptions complemented one another perfectly. I felt as though I were listening to a novel rather than a narration of a historic reunion!
sbojo32's review against another edition
2.0
I read Before We Were Yours and it was my favorite book of 2019. I immediately looked to read Before and After, knowing it was different, but having such high hopes.
Perhaps that was the problem. But when there are ~40 pages left in the book and I choose to go to bed rather than finish it, I know it wasn't a book for me. Alas, this was the case with Before and After.
The stories were heartbreaking, sure, but they were also repetitive. I can't tell you the difference between Patricia's story and Bess's. There was so much changing of names and trying to figure out generations that it took so much away from what these stories were trying to tell. Quite often, I found myself thinking, "Ok, so she's the daughter of someone who was a Tann baby, but the chapter started out with the Tann baby's mother, so her actual grandmother, but then the names change and we get the names of the adopted family and the Tann baby's new name." It was too much.
It also seemed to be a never-ending advertisement for Before We Were Yours. That book was mentioned at least once in every single chapter. It seemed like every book club in the world was reading that book (and apparently shame on you if your book club was not one of them).
The chapters in between from the author seemed unnecessary (do we really need page after page about getting wine for an event?) and took away from the flow.
I had such high expectations for this book and was sadly disappointed. 1.5 stars, rounded up (mostly because of my love for Before We Were Yours).
Perhaps that was the problem. But when there are ~40 pages left in the book and I choose to go to bed rather than finish it, I know it wasn't a book for me. Alas, this was the case with Before and After.
The stories were heartbreaking, sure, but they were also repetitive. I can't tell you the difference between Patricia's story and Bess's. There was so much changing of names and trying to figure out generations that it took so much away from what these stories were trying to tell. Quite often, I found myself thinking, "Ok, so she's the daughter of someone who was a Tann baby, but the chapter started out with the Tann baby's mother, so her actual grandmother, but then the names change and we get the names of the adopted family and the Tann baby's new name." It was too much.
It also seemed to be a never-ending advertisement for Before We Were Yours. That book was mentioned at least once in every single chapter. It seemed like every book club in the world was reading that book (and apparently shame on you if your book club was not one of them).
The chapters in between from the author seemed unnecessary (do we really need page after page about getting wine for an event?) and took away from the flow.
I had such high expectations for this book and was sadly disappointed. 1.5 stars, rounded up (mostly because of my love for Before We Were Yours).