Detroit Free Press reporter Elizabeth Balsam meets James Rich. He requests that she look up a relative she didn't know she had in order to deliver an old camera and a box of photos. She learns the remarkable stories of two women who lived in a 150 year old farmhouse and their courage in the face of war and racism. This is Erin Bartels debut novel and it takes readers on a journey through the streets of 1960s Detroit to the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. I have read and enjoyed all of Bartels' novels and found this to be a very emotional read with excellent research of our American history and interesting characters. If you enjoy American history, then you will enjoy this book.
I am amazed this is a first novel. Erin Bartels skillfully weaves three storylines through different time periods and gives life to all the characters so the reader is never confused. The story is told through the lives of three three generations of strong women.
We first meet Elizabeth in present day, a reporter who is contacted by members of the Rich family who ask her to return a camera and photos to a relative she doesn't know. Next we meet Nora in 1963 whose life takes a drastic turn when she sees a photo of a family member in a most unexpected place. Finally we meet Mary in 1862 when her husband volunteers to be a soldier in the Civil War and involves her in harboring escaping slaves. Each woman's life reflects the unique times in which she lives yet several aspects, including race relations, photography, and quilting, are common and important to all three eras.
This powerful novel would generate important conversations for book clubs and will likely earn a position in my top 10 reads of 2019.
We first meet Elizabeth in present day, a reporter who is contacted by members of the Rich family who ask her to return a camera and photos to a relative she doesn't know. Next we meet Nora in 1963 whose life takes a drastic turn when she sees a photo of a family member in a most unexpected place. Finally we meet Mary in 1862 when her husband volunteers to be a soldier in the Civil War and involves her in harboring escaping slaves. Each woman's life reflects the unique times in which she lives yet several aspects, including race relations, photography, and quilting, are common and important to all three eras.
This powerful novel would generate important conversations for book clubs and will likely earn a position in my top 10 reads of 2019.
