Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Lisa Wingate for the opportunity to read and review her latest historical fiction novel. 5 stars for such an amazing story based in the sad past of slavery.
The story is told in the viewpoints of two women, a century apart. Hannie, is a slave and the last of her family returned to the plantation home of the Gossetts, the others being sold further into slavery. Lavinia is the spoiled daughter of the plantation owners. Lavinia embarks on a journey with her illegitimate half-sister, Juneau Jane, and Hannie, looking for their father who has gone missing. In 1987, first-year teacher Benny is desperate to make a connection with her students, most who come to school hungry if they come at all, and who no one has hope for. When Benny gains access to a book of the Gossett clan, things begin to change for her and her students.
In between these chapters are haunting, real life advertisements placed in a southern newspaper by freed slaves desperate for word on their lost family members.
An amazing story that needed to be told to keep all those voices alive. Highly recommended!
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