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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Could not put this down. The story & truth behind it stayed with me long after I finished.
Loved this book, highly recommend
Based on real-life events this book was eye opening about how corrupt the Child Welfare system in some parts of America was at one time.
Wonderful story with undertone of mystery.
Based on actual events.
Unforgettable! Fantastic!
All of it.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Before We Were Yours is based on the true story of Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. This abhorent piece of history fascinates me. While it operated, primarily as a means for wealthy childless couples to buy children, it was a well-kept secret. It went on for decades*, which is amazing considering the thousands of children stolen from their parents, as well as the estimated hundreds of children that died in the home. The depth and breadth of the cover-up is unimaginable.
As for this book, it does a fair job at telling the story. It is based on the Foss family’s children, who are stolen in the night from their shanty boat. Years later, the sisters are reunited, but decide to keep their story secret. Many years later, a granddaughter, Avery, follows up some strange coincidences, leading her to their past. I would have liked to see a bit more of a fore- or afterword on Georgia Tann and the Home.
The story is told from the past viewpoint of Rill Foss and the present viewpoint of Avery. Avery is one of those characters you just don’t connect with. She is engaged to be married, but you know she is going to break it off because of her new love interest, which just doesn’t read true. The author keeps reminding you Avery is a high-powered attorney, yet she can’t make a decision or read the clues in front of her. On the other hand, the stories centering on Rill Foss, were captivating. At 12 years old, Rill is trying to keep her family together after being kidnapped and molested. Her viewpoint is a story of family, love and sacrifice, and Avery just appeared to be self-centered. Avery was such a contrast to Rill, that reading the viewpoints alternately just didn’t work.
*It appears Georgia Tann had been a well-respected social worker beginning in the 1920’s, and my cursory research couldn’t find when she “turned.”
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Sad story and told well.
Great book. It was based on real events. It was hard to understand how it could happen and no one knew what was going on
Didn’t realize this was a true story until the end. Unbelievable what these children went through and how great lots of them were when they got away from this house. Liked how a granddaughter was helping her grandmother and came across the true story of her growing up.
Held your interest and showed how resourceful children can be
Excellent story based on real life events. Well written.
The characters were so detailed and real. Though it was a tragic story I really enjoyed it. Had no idea things like that happened. So sad.
This was my first Lisa Wingate novel, but it will definitely not be my last! Wow, Just WOW! I couldn’t put this book down, I read the paperback, and then a friend recommended the audiobook, and what Emily Rankin and Catherine Taber brought to an already incredible story took my breath away!
I grew up in Memphis in the 1980s, We were lower-middle class and lived in an old historical mid-town neighborhood near where GT’s orphanage was located. I can remember vivid stories of warning from grandparents of children that wandered away being snatched. This story spoke directly into these memories. I can literally picture every location in this story. Her accuracy in worldbuilding was phenomenal!
From start to finish, Wingate’s story left me on the edge of my seat BOTH in print and audiobook! This is a MUST READ and a MUST LISTEN!!! Lisa Wingate WELL DONE!
Told me about a real incident that I know nothing about.
Excellent!!
I enjoyed the story about finding out who Grandma Judy is related to but I was disturbed reading the chapters about Georgia Tann’s treatment of the children at the Children’s Home. This book is based on true stories and it’s unbelievable that this actually went on.
Loved this book. Tragic
Be sure you read this