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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Stunning! Another wonderful historical fiction novel I couldn’t put down. Two narrators switching back and forth through two different eras leading to a common finish - love that style of storytelling.
What a unique format and creative imagination this book took.
The historical fiction was reminiscent of her earlier book in that they were both historical about children really separated from their families. Lisa Wingate has a great ability to use varied voices throughout as she did here with the three young women from very different backgrounds post-CIVIL War (1875).
I don't recall ever reading much about this neglect of policing the South after the Civil War when places such a Louisiana and Texas were pretty lawless and racism was as strong as pre-Civil War.
Hattie made my heart aches as she kept envisioning the promise of freed slaves for 30 acres and a mule, and I knew President Andrew Johnson would end the promises of President Lincoln and Reconstruction, and all the enslaved would be left to their own devices.
The actuality of the column that existed in the Methodist paper of folks trying to find family who were sold off and from whom they were separated was novel as well. These original postings brought a personalness to the post-war and post-slavery time, and made the heart-ache all the more real.
Thirdly, the back and forth between post-Civil War and the 1980s LA teacher who was trying in this same area of former plantation life to teach poor children living in the area 100 years hence was so illuminating and also an original device. The Under the Crypt project where social classes objected to Benny's teaching the kids their own histories, seemed realistic, as they power and status quo were actually being threatened by such a genealogy project. The scene in the Principal's office after the exposure of the project during dress rehearsal at the cemetery seemed a realistic scene of class power at play. Even the principal trying to defend Benny, the new teacher, and the powerful Board members who sent their kids elsewhere seemed real to me.
I thought Lisa Wingate brought interest to the read through all three of these devices the varied women from different classes in 1875; the actual columns of "lost Friends" in the Methodist paper, which were yet different stories each a different one; and the 1980s teacher now in this area encouraging her students to find and tell their own histories and stories. Quite compelling.
And the ending Linking the two time periods' peoples was too fun and gratifying when the 100 years distance between made little distance at all. And of course the repeated line that summed it all up:
"We die once when the last breathe leaves our bodies. We die a second time when the last person speaks our name.'The first death is beyond our control, but the second one, we can strive to prevent.'"
Amen.
The historical fiction was reminiscent of her earlier book in that they were both historical about children really separated from their families. Lisa Wingate has a great ability to use varied voices throughout as she did here with the three young women from very different backgrounds post-CIVIL War (1875).
I don't recall ever reading much about this neglect of policing the South after the Civil War when places such a Louisiana and Texas were pretty lawless and racism was as strong as pre-Civil War.
Hattie made my heart aches as she kept envisioning the promise of freed slaves for 30 acres and a mule, and I knew President Andrew Johnson would end the promises of President Lincoln and Reconstruction, and all the enslaved would be left to their own devices.
The actuality of the column that existed in the Methodist paper of folks trying to find family who were sold off and from whom they were separated was novel as well. These original postings brought a personalness to the post-war and post-slavery time, and made the heart-ache all the more real.
Thirdly, the back and forth between post-Civil War and the 1980s LA teacher who was trying in this same area of former plantation life to teach poor children living in the area 100 years hence was so illuminating and also an original device. The Under the Crypt project where social classes objected to Benny's teaching the kids their own histories, seemed realistic, as they power and status quo were actually being threatened by such a genealogy project. The scene in the Principal's office after the exposure of the project during dress rehearsal at the cemetery seemed a realistic scene of class power at play. Even the principal trying to defend Benny, the new teacher, and the powerful Board members who sent their kids elsewhere seemed real to me.
I thought Lisa Wingate brought interest to the read through all three of these devices the varied women from different classes in 1875; the actual columns of "lost Friends" in the Methodist paper, which were yet different stories each a different one; and the 1980s teacher now in this area encouraging her students to find and tell their own histories and stories. Quite compelling.
And the ending Linking the two time periods' peoples was too fun and gratifying when the 100 years distance between made little distance at all. And of course the repeated line that summed it all up:
"We die once when the last breathe leaves our bodies. We die a second time when the last person speaks our name.'The first death is beyond our control, but the second one, we can strive to prevent.'"
Amen.
I really enjoyed this read! Two interesting plot lines with characters I felt were well-written. Would definitely recommend to other history-minded readers!
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.5 I thought the content was interesting (especially the 1800s story) but I felt that a lot was predictable from the start (for the 1980s story) and was longer than necessary in parts while not finishing the story completely for the reader or for Hannie.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars
I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Ballantine Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Lisa Wingate, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This book was FASCINATING! It was historical fiction based on real events from the Historic New Orleans Collection (a database of Lost Friends for genealogical research and for historical purposes). The Lost Friends were REAL newspaper advertisements for former slave families trying to reconnect after the Civil War. Again, I read a book that I learned so much from and am so thankful for everyone who made this book possible.
Now, the review of this book. I gave it 4.5 stars because it was REALLY hard to get into this book. The first 15% was terribly hard to read because of the material about pre/post Civil War slavery plus it was a difficult book to set up with all of the necessary characters. Once I got going, I couldn't put this book down. I really wanted to know what happened to these characters as I was SO invested in them. The writing as with all of Lisa Wingate's books is just beautiful, descriptive, and detailed. It is almost as if you are a PART of the book!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND especially for historical fiction lovers, but it is a NOT a typical summer read for by the pool or at the beach.
I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Ballantine Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Lisa Wingate, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This book was FASCINATING! It was historical fiction based on real events from the Historic New Orleans Collection (a database of Lost Friends for genealogical research and for historical purposes). The Lost Friends were REAL newspaper advertisements for former slave families trying to reconnect after the Civil War. Again, I read a book that I learned so much from and am so thankful for everyone who made this book possible.
Now, the review of this book. I gave it 4.5 stars because it was REALLY hard to get into this book. The first 15% was terribly hard to read because of the material about pre/post Civil War slavery plus it was a difficult book to set up with all of the necessary characters. Once I got going, I couldn't put this book down. I really wanted to know what happened to these characters as I was SO invested in them. The writing as with all of Lisa Wingate's books is just beautiful, descriptive, and detailed. It is almost as if you are a PART of the book!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND especially for historical fiction lovers, but it is a NOT a typical summer read for by the pool or at the beach.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I liked Benny Silva, the protagonist, immediately. Idealistic, young, 1st year secondary school English teacher. She is beginning her career in a small Louisiana town where she knows no one. She quickly finds out who's who. Her love of and need for books draws her to an old family library, owned by her landlord. There are two stories going at once in this book; one past and the other alive in Benny's classes. Both stories come together as both students and teacher learn some things