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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This is the second Lisa Wingate book I’ve ever read, and enjoyed this as much as I did Before We Were Yours. While fiction, it is based on the fallout of African American families during the slave trade era - mixed family lines, broken up families, premature deaths. The Book of Lost Friends is based on a true literary release following the Civil War whereby people could put out search ads for lost family members. As heart wrenching as this was, Lisa did a great job straddling 1877 and the 1980’s, flipping between the two separate but connected storylines. Consumed this is just a few days, very plot driven and educational.
Slow to start, but gathered speed pretty quickly. There were some predictable parts, others not so much. I liked it.
Wingate transported me, and I quickly became caught up in both timelines.
Louisiana 1875– Freed slaves search for families in newspaper ads read from the pulpit of community churches. We follow Hannie, a freed slave who longs for her family as she gets caught up in the troubles of Lavinia, the pampered heir to a now-destitute plantation and Juneau Jane, her illegitimate free-born Creole half-sister. Unthinkable danger awaits as the sisters search for their father. Wingate paints the times, as she shares the truths and harsh realities of this turbulent time.
Louisiana 1987- A depressed town stuck in the past is where Benedetta Silva agrees to teach in order to pay off her student loan debt. She soon finds herself caught up in the students and the towns past. But in Augustine, Louisiana, not everyone wants the past revealed.
This story unfolded slowly as we got to know the characters and their circumstance. The stories surrounding Hannie were more action-packed and often dark, but Wingate quickly had me rooting for Benedetta and her students. I loved how she pulled them in and was aided by townfolk.
The past and present eventually wove together, and I appreciated how the author did this. I found the newspaper ads heartbreaking and a reminder of our dark past. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Louisiana 1875– Freed slaves search for families in newspaper ads read from the pulpit of community churches. We follow Hannie, a freed slave who longs for her family as she gets caught up in the troubles of Lavinia, the pampered heir to a now-destitute plantation and Juneau Jane, her illegitimate free-born Creole half-sister. Unthinkable danger awaits as the sisters search for their father. Wingate paints the times, as she shares the truths and harsh realities of this turbulent time.
Louisiana 1987- A depressed town stuck in the past is where Benedetta Silva agrees to teach in order to pay off her student loan debt. She soon finds herself caught up in the students and the towns past. But in Augustine, Louisiana, not everyone wants the past revealed.
This story unfolded slowly as we got to know the characters and their circumstance. The stories surrounding Hannie were more action-packed and often dark, but Wingate quickly had me rooting for Benedetta and her students. I loved how she pulled them in and was aided by townfolk.
The past and present eventually wove together, and I appreciated how the author did this. I found the newspaper ads heartbreaking and a reminder of our dark past. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The story, the characters, the history, the writing...excellent read.
I enjoyed this book a lot. Unfortunately, I listened to it during a very distracted time period so I didn’t get to enjoy it as much as I think I would have.
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
No
I enjoyed listening this book!
Starting with the positive, I loved the premise of the story which was inspired from true stories of freed slaves seeking reunion with "lost" family members after emancipation. The story centered on three women of different classes, plus one in the "present day," who unwittingly embark on journeys to learn--and own--their true family history. The real "Lost Friends" newspaper columns scattered throughout the book were a nice touch, reminding us that this is an unsavory, but very real, part of American history. The ending was also great--I always enjoy a final "pulling back of the veil" with no questions left unanswered.
However, there's nothing more unsatisfying than reading a book that verrrry slowly builds and builds, only to climb to a climax AND resolution in the last few pages. I loved the author's previous book, "Before We Were Yours," and thought the parallels between past and present perspectives were well connected and engaging. In this book, I found them to be more disjointed. Each *cliffhanger + cut to other perspective* left me feeling disappointed--"ugh, have to wait even longer to find out what happens" was my reading mantra.
However, there's nothing more unsatisfying than reading a book that verrrry slowly builds and builds, only to climb to a climax AND resolution in the last few pages. I loved the author's previous book, "Before We Were Yours," and thought the parallels between past and present perspectives were well connected and engaging. In this book, I found them to be more disjointed. Each *cliffhanger + cut to other perspective* left me feeling disappointed--"ugh, have to wait even longer to find out what happens" was my reading mantra.
Was about 40% too long but I enjoyed learning about the history of emancipated slaves finding family members.
emotional
informative
sad
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:
No