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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Sometimes stories come in to your life at a time that strongly influences how you value them. At a time when I needed a story filled with incredible tragedy and injustice but with tremendous hope and redemption, this book was a perfect fit. The depth of research, compelling dual story lines and relevance to current events was balm to a soul that has been battered by recent events.
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Historical fiction about post civil war families trying to reunite
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Great historical fiction with dual timelines that tie together in a wonderful way.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was given this book a few years ago, and as I sometimes do, I kept it next to my bed in the TBR pile, because before I started to read it, it was already a treasure.
I enjoyed this book very much. I preferred Benny's story as it was a little easier for me to follow the cast of characters she interacted with. But the ads peppered throughout were impactful, as they are real. It's sometimes very hard to think about the history of this country and even harder to imagine what it was like actually living through it.
Both storylines were interesting and engaging.
I enjoyed this book very much. I preferred Benny's story as it was a little easier for me to follow the cast of characters she interacted with. But the ads peppered throughout were impactful, as they are real. It's sometimes very hard to think about the history of this country and even harder to imagine what it was like actually living through it.
Both storylines were interesting and engaging.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Lisa Wingate's The Book of Lost Friends is based on actual “Lost Friends” advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones they had been separated from.
This story is told from alternating view points across centuries, and weaves together a remarkable story of survival, family, and the importance of stories and history.
1875 - Hannie Gossett was raised as a slave on the Gossett family plantation in Louisiana, and got separated from her mother towards the end of the war. Even though the slaves are supposed to be emancipated after the war, Hannie who is still a child, and doesn't know where her own family is, stays on with the Gossett family, helping take care of their pampered daughter Lavinia.
Juneau Jane is the illigitmate daughter of Mr. Gossett's affair with a creole woman in New Orleans. Upon Mr. Gossett's presumed death Juneau Jane and Lavinia find themselves forced to assist each other in financial matters. As Hannie eavesdrops on a conversation between the half sisters, she realizes her fate is tangled up with theirs.
Benedetta Silva is a literary loving Californian who takes on a teaching position for a poor rural school in Louisiana in 1987. As she settles into her rented house, Benedetta aka Benny, will quickly discover a connection to the Gossett family.
I loved Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate and was thrilled to get a chance to review her latest book. The Book of Lost Friends did not disappoint. It is full of wondrous writing, fantastic characters and an important historical story that is worth sharing, lest it be forgotten.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Lisa Wingate for the advanced copy of The Book of Lost Friends in exchange for my honest review.
This story is told from alternating view points across centuries, and weaves together a remarkable story of survival, family, and the importance of stories and history.
1875 - Hannie Gossett was raised as a slave on the Gossett family plantation in Louisiana, and got separated from her mother towards the end of the war. Even though the slaves are supposed to be emancipated after the war, Hannie who is still a child, and doesn't know where her own family is, stays on with the Gossett family, helping take care of their pampered daughter Lavinia.
Juneau Jane is the illigitmate daughter of Mr. Gossett's affair with a creole woman in New Orleans. Upon Mr. Gossett's presumed death Juneau Jane and Lavinia find themselves forced to assist each other in financial matters. As Hannie eavesdrops on a conversation between the half sisters, she realizes her fate is tangled up with theirs.
Benedetta Silva is a literary loving Californian who takes on a teaching position for a poor rural school in Louisiana in 1987. As she settles into her rented house, Benedetta aka Benny, will quickly discover a connection to the Gossett family.
I loved Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate and was thrilled to get a chance to review her latest book. The Book of Lost Friends did not disappoint. It is full of wondrous writing, fantastic characters and an important historical story that is worth sharing, lest it be forgotten.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Lisa Wingate for the advanced copy of The Book of Lost Friends in exchange for my honest review.
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There are two timelines which means that each one gets sold a little short. The more recent timeline was less developed and the main character less appealing making the pacing uneven.
An interesting view into the lives and circumstances of formerly enslaved peoples in the years following the war between the states.
An interesting view into the lives and circumstances of formerly enslaved peoples in the years following the war between the states.
This book almost got a 4, but then it just ended. Abruptly. I did the really feel the closure I wanted. I wanted more after the journey we had been on. So this gets a 3. It’s a good story, I just needed more!
emotional
medium-paced