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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I just finished reading Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate. It was a fascinating duel-time historical novel that followed the stories of Rill Foss in Memphis, Tennessee in 1939 and Avery Stanford in Aiken, South Carolina in the present day. Even though this was not a traditional historical mystery, Wingate still managed to weave a mystery into the story. She successfully provided hints and clues without giving too much away. I really enjoyed the way the author wove the two stories together into a unified story.
My favorite quote from the book comes from a scene near the end of the book, where the elder protagonist tells Avery, “A woman’s past need not predict her future. She can dance to new music if she chooses. Her own music. To hear the tune, she must only stop talking….” This is so true! There have been so many times in my own life when I talk myself out of something and then regret it later.
It is so easy to become so focused on the needs of our children, our spouses, parents, students, or jobs, that we lose track of our own goals and well-being. Or else we become so tied to our past that we can’t see how to move forward. Taking time to step out of our busy lives to relax and listen to our inner music, is so important.
I truly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it.
This was a very good book about a difficult subject; the stealing of children to have them adopted out for profit.
What starts in 1930 ends in modern times. This fictional story about a real event is very well done and well researched. I knew about the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, but not to the depth this book told. It is difficult to read in spots – no one wants to read about child abuse – but Lisa Wingate was tasteful and articulate and drove her points home without being overly graphic.
I recommend this book.
This is a heartbreaking dual-time novel!
I was caught up in the story from the very beginning. I loved the main characters and my heart broke for the situations that they were in. I can’t imagine people treating each other the way that Georgia Tann treated both the children and their birth parents. She was completely cruel and heartless. I completely understood why Rill did the things she did to try and protect herself and her siblings.
In the present day portion of the book Avery Stafford was caught by the expectations of others and trying to figure out what her own life was supposed to look like. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that she was willing to go against what was expected of her and try to help May as well as her Grandma Judy. She is an incredibly strong woman with a heart for helping other people.
I liked going on the journey with Avery and Trent to find out how the people in the present were connected with each other and learning each one’s history.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.
While this one grabbed me from the start and held me rapt throughout, I found myself distracted trying to figure out who “Judy” really was, and where Fern was in the present-day part of the story. Also, how Trent Sr. originally got involved in the whole thing (although that might have been explained and I missed it).
Wonderfully told, and horrifying that the story comes from real-life events.
Another book I won’t forget. I believe it is based on a true story. It’s been awhile since I read it but a great story even though what these children went through broke my heart.
A sad time in history when precious children were not protected.
This story takes place in two timelines, the present and the late 1930’s. I found the older timeline quite interesting right from the start but the current timeline story was slow to get going. The pace did pick up after tension grew in the older timeline, and I felt the character development was much better in the old timeline also. All in all, a good read.
Yeah, this book made me cry…a lot. I had no idea this happened in our country and not so long ago. Author did a great job, I remember I couldn’t put this down.
To think of the terrible things one human does to another, especially children.
This book was well written and very engaging. The way it started thru how it ended. It brought forth all the feels. I was fully engaged with all the characters and their stories. Well written, thought provoking, and enjoyable.
This was my first introduction to Lisa Wingate’s writing. Shut the door! Before We Were Yours was crazy good. I listened to the audio version, and it captured the attention of my husband and my fifteen-year-old son, too. I loved the time hops, the thread of mystery, and the slight threads of romance. I’d recommend this one all.day.long.
Happy reading!
Sad story of the abuses of power that were allowed to destroy children’s lives.
Beautiful , Heart wrenching story about a family torn apart , fate brings them back together again , there is a truth about the orphanage and the woman who runs it , you meet RIL/May and Avery WHOSE LIVES INTERTWINED BY CHANCE TO BRING THE HEART OF THE STORY TO LIFE , I LISTENED ON AUDIO .. MUST READ , GRAB TISSUES!
Sometimes painful, other times heart-warming, Before We Were Yours opened my eyes to a little piece of history I knew nothing about: the decades-long theft and abuse of children by the Tennessee Children’s Home Society operated by Georgia Tann (mid 1930s to 1950). The book tells the story of five impoverished children living happily on the Mississippi River when they are unfortunately swept of in the nightmare of the TN Children’s Home Society. Chapters alternate from past to present, but it is easy to follow along. Compelling, original, and poignant.
This book was difficult to read and realize that it was based on actual practice although fictionalized. I couldn’t put it down because the characters were so well developed and I wanted to know what happened to them.
Very interesting and well done. Hard to believe what happened during the depression, but based on fact. Enjoy this author very much.
I recommend it often!
#1 NewYork Times Best Seller, I couldn’t put it down.
I felt myself feeling what these characters were going through. I longed to see them have a happy ending and teared up at their losses.
A must read for those who are not aware of the tragedy that Georgia Tann brought to so many families. This is a TRUE story and we must never forget what some people will do for money.