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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One of my favorites. Couldn’t put it down!
The author writes such beautiful, lyrical words in such heart-wrenching scenes. The story is a treasure to read and share! Before We Were Yours
This was based on a true story , I am old enough to remember. Back in early 50s This woman Took in young children and newborn babies and sold them to families . While reading this book it takes a long time to realize what is happening. So,I don’t want to spoil all of the events that took place.
This story is based on actual events and you should do more research into the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. As you read you will run a gamut of emotions, sadness, puzzlement, tragedy, happiness, and astonishment that the greed of adults did this to families.
Our bookclub voted it our favorite book of 2017. Loved the characters and enjoyed learning about an adoption process that I had no idea existed in the US in the early 20th century. I couldn’t put it down. The story was told in two points of view. An adult in present day and a child back in the 1930’s (don’t quote me on the date). I definitely preferred the child POV.
A very interesting story, based on real happenings. Loved it!
This book will stay with me for a long time. I recommend it all the time. It is based on real events (Georgia Tann).
Great history about Georgia Tann. A sad story that many actually lives through.
Disturbing, informative, based on fact, upsetting. I couldn’t stop thinking about ihe story and most of all the horrors the children had to endure. I’ve already suggested it to my book-loving friends.
I read this for Book Club, and we all liked it. Based on a real story it is a fictionalized account of a Tennessee woman who ran an “orphanage” in the 1930’s. In reality she had agents snatching poor children off their porches, away from their parents, and tricking the parents into signing away their parental rights, then basically selling the children to rich society people. This is a story of several such siblings, trying to get back to their parents. It goes back and forth in time, from one in old age, and her granddaughter trying to figure things out, and her other siblings trying to keep their secret. The only drawback some felt was throwing in a romance which was not necessary. But the story has stayed with me, which means it was a good book!
This novel, based on actual events, was haunting. So well written and emotional, it stayed with me for days.
A special story of strong family characters who deal with a historical period of greed in dealing with orphans.
Well written kept moving
This was hard
to read as it was based on a true story. She certainly held my attention until the very end. Ive recommended this book to all my book buddies, book clubs, and to anyone who needs a book to read.
Didn’t like the back and forth between times. Would have been much better just to focus on the historical story. The parts that were modern were very predictable and not very original
Based on a true story of a terrible time in history . Well written and emotional !
Based on true events, this is a very moving story.
A tragic story based on fact. This book kept me engrossed from the first page and i enjoyed every twist and turn of this haunting story
I don’t even know how or where to begin reviewing this book. It’s powerful, it stirs so many deep emotions, it’s heart-wrenching, and a hard read in a lot of areas. It’s a story that will capture you within it’s pages and something I couldn’t put down if I tried! It weaves it’s tragic tale around your heart and spills out on your cheeks in the form of tears.
Oh but the end…the end is so worth every emotional outburst and feeling! It’s a beautiful tale of human gumption and survival. Of sister-hood that stands the test of time, tragedy, heartache & pain. Of a bond that no man–or in this case–woman can sever or even years can erase. I found myself walking in young Rill’s shoes as well as Avery’s. Of the longing for justice when you have no way to bring it about, and the sweet feeling when you find true contentment. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this story affected me. All I know, is for me anyway, it would be a must-read for anyone and it will stick to you long after the last page.
Lisa Wingate is a master storyteller, her unique writers voice compels you to devour each page with a hunger only she can satisfy. What a rush!
Favorite lines:
“What the mind don’t ‘member, the heart still knows. Love, the strongest thang of all. Stronger than all the rest.” (pg. 296)
“The heart still know. It still know who it loves” (pg. 296)
It happened in many places.