Before We Were Yours
Fiction
Ballantine Books
June 6, 2017
Advanced Reader Copy
352
Publisher via She Reads
"Memphis, Tennessee, 1936. The five Foss children find their lives changed forever when their parents leave them alone on the family shantyboat one stormy night. Rill Foss, just twelve years old, must protect her four younger siblings as they are wrenched from their home on the Mississippi and thrown into the care of the infamous Georgia Tann, director of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. South Carolina, Present Day. Avery Stafford has lived a charmed life. Loving daughter to her father, a U.S. Senator, she has a promising career as an assistant D.A. in Baltimore and is engaged to her best friend. But when Avery comes home to help her father weather a health crisis and a political attack, a chance encounter with a stranger leaves her deeply shaken. Avery's decision to learn more about the woman's life will take her on a journey through her family's long-hidden history"--
My review:
I have read a few of Lisa Wingate's early books, but for some reason it has been a while since I've picked one up. This was a reminder that I need to keep Ms. Wingate on my radar. I really enjoyed this book. From the historical perspective of the horrible workings of the Tennessee Children's Home Society, to the present day tale of one of its survivors, and the woman who tries to tie all the loose ends together. Definitely not a tale for the faint of heart, this novel packs a punch with regards to the treatment of children, but it's an important glimpse into history. The writing was fluid, and even though the books does go back and forth between characters and time, it was not confusing or hard to follow. I was definitely invested in the characters, particularly May, who I so wanted to find closure for. The ending did find that closure partially, but I was impressed that Wingate did not go to the extreme of tying everything up with a big bow, which I think would have made the story less believable.
This is a wonderful slice of American history not normally written about, with well developed characters and a smooth writing style. I'll be on the lookout for more upcoming reads by Lisa Wingate, and perhaps delving into that backlist of books already published.
This book was a summer reads pick of the She Reads blog network. Click this link to find out more about them and to see the other books and follow along with upcoming reviews.
Wonderful review.
The book sounds like something I would like.
Thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog
I think based on your book reviews that I've read, that you will like it Elizabeth.
It sounds like a good, but unpleasant read (topic wise). Good review!