THE BLOCKBUSTER HIT—Over two million copies sold! A New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller“Poignant, engrossing.”—People • “Lisa Wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nation’s history and weaves a tale of enduring power.”—Paula McLain Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their … Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.
Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.
Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.
Publishers Weekly’s #3 Longest-Running Bestseller of 2017 • Winner of the Southern Book Prize • If All Arkansas Read the Same Book Selection
“Sure to be one of the most compelling books you pick up this year. . . . Wingate is a master-storyteller, and you’ll find yourself pulled along as she reveals the wake of terror and heartache that is Georgia Tann’s legacy.”—Parade
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It was sad and emotional throughout the book. But well written and about exploiting children in orphanages. Making money by kidnapping children and other means. It was information from real life stories. How sad that people can be so cruel. EMptional in how a family of four sisters through out the tragedy managed to find each other over the years. Excellent book to read.
Could not stop reading this book!
something that went on that we knew nothing about and that there are such evil people in the world when it comes to children.
Loved it! Highly recommend it.
One of the best I have read this year. Based on a true story
Wonderful book with characters that come alive.
I had no idea this was based on a true story and while I found the story to be a little sappy and predictable, it was a fast, interesting read. Made me want to know more about what really happened.
Dual timeline story. Historical novel about the tragedy of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. The contemporary plotline is not so interesting and quite predictable, but all in all, this book is a worthwhile read.
Lisa Wingate has scored yet another winner with her ability to span generations in her writing! She weaves a fascinating tale of two families caught in the clutches of a notorious baby-seller. She shares her insight into how these events transpire and affect their present day lives. The appalling story of The Tennessee Children’s Home Society and its director Georgia Tann will give you chills with its ruthlessness, greed, and corruption. Lisa takes you into the heart of its operation by highlighting the lives of a family whose children are abducted and held hostage for sale to the highest bidder. The dreadful fallout from their situation will make you both angry and sad. You will hold your breath as you wait to see how the victims will fare. Will their descendants ever learn their story or will it be hushed up forever? This is a must read to find out!
I loved this book for the fact that it was based on real events that actually happened. It’s unbelievable that the sad and awfull things actually happened to innocent children and families. The author did a good job researching and then writing this great book. It’s one I will always remember.
Great writing, a tragic historical novel.
Before We Were Yours reels you in right from the beginning and never lets go. Alternating between two related stories, one set in present times and the other decades earlier, the mystery aspect of this novel will leave you guessing until the very end. But it’s the shocking tale of the stolen children, the “we” in the book’s title, that will really get your attention. It’s hard to believe that this part of the story is based on real events. A beautiful novel of enduring love between sisters (among other things), Before We Were Yours is a compelling and wonderful beach read.
I loved this book. I cried but it was because I was happy with the ending.
Historical fiction that keeps you turning the page to find out more.
wonderful read – couldn’t wait to pick it up again
This book has become one of my all time favorite books. It is a historical fiction book. I highly recommend that you read this book.
The actual event were mostly fictional but were based on a true story. I don’t want to give the story away but I was absolutely horrified that so called social services could do that with poor people’s children.
Based on the true story of stolen children along the Mississippi River.
A historical fiction gem! Hard to believe that this happened to children and their families in the 20th century.
Before We Were Yours is an emotional read. It is especially poignant given that it is based on historical events. Two narrators tell the story in different time periods; the story lines eventually intersect.
Ms. Wingate’s story is powerful. Her twelve-year-old narrator, Rill Foss tells the heart-wrenching story of the impact of the Georgia Tann/Tennessee Children’s Home Society scandal on her family. Juxtaposed to the abject poverty of the depression-era Foss family is the present day affluence of the Stafford family. While Avery Stafford is being groomed to follow in her family’s political footsteps as well as become the perfect southern wife, she is busy discovering her grandmother’s secrets. Along the way, Avery discovers a few things about herself, the person she wants to be, and the sort of person who deserves her partnership in life.
I loved Rill Foss’ story. Life on the river is simple, but her loving parents make it seem grand for her and her siblings. It is a compelling tale not only of family but also a widely unknown part of the Great Depression. I found present-day Avery Stafford’s story less interesting primarily because I would have expected a former federal prosecutor to have more sleuthing and deducing skills. Avery spends a lot of time perplexed by the evasive answers she receives from her grandmother and a mysterious senior in a nursing home. Avery also spends a great deal of time passively pondering her engagement to her childhood friend. I found this well-educated woman of means to be highly frustrating even though I know Avery’s story is drawn out to allow sufficient time for the Foss family drama to play out. It is not until Avery meets Trent Jr. that the modern day suspense builds to the point of almost equaling the heart-wrenching 1939 saga.
The historic facts are well researched, and the plot flows easily. The meddling moms are a fun addition to the modern day story. Fact and fiction are wonderfully woven together, and Ms. Wingate provides several research resources for readers who would like to investigate the historical aspects of this book further. Before We Were Yours is ultimately redemptive, but the book as a whole is sad and mournful. The story continues to haunt me, and I’m sure Before We Were Yours will long be a book I use as a comparison for future reads. #MustRead2018
The audiobook is fantastically narrated by Emily Rankin and Catherine Taber.