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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This book tells the story about children who were sold, children who died mysteriously, children obtained through subterfuge, kidnapping, switching newborns and it was all done by a network of supposedly upstanding citizens feted
for their outstanding charity work for children. This book reveals the horrific abuse
suffered by Americas most vulnerable citizens through the Children’s Society in the
Depression years and beyond. It is important to be aware of such evil because just as children were catalogued to aid in quickly selling the adorable ones to adoption to mostly upper class couples, those identified as unattractive or “difficult” were sold into sex rings, a horror that lives on today in sex trafficking!
Review of “Before We Were Yours”
Taking a story steeped in true-life scandal, lawlessness, and grief, Lisa Wingate has fashioned a novel that puts a vise to the heart, taking readers for an unforgettable ride on a shantyboat bursting with characters poor in worldly goods but rich in dimension.
“Before We Were Yours” is a “time-slip” story, one that alternates between the viewpoints of a character in the present and one as long ago as 1939. Avery seems set on a life programmed for her by parents and life circumstances. However, when she begins to look into the mystery of her grandmother’s birth and biological family, her world and those of many others are turned topsy-turvy. It’s a mystery that takes her into the secrets of stolen and sold children, changed and often ruined lives.
Along the way, Avery makes a profound discovery about herself and changes, too, composing new circumstances which—like music—better reflect her true character. Wingate references “Huckleberry Finn” a couple of times in the story, and I think her novel is a kind of homage to Mark Twain’s story, the “river gypsies” who lived on the river, and Huck’s journey to self-discovery.
“Before We Were Yours” highlights past heart-wrenching wrongs, but most of all, it’s a story that sails with heart and hope.
A superbly written story based around true events, highly recommend
I did not know anything about the “Baby Market” before reading this book. I was really grateful for the forward and the “notes from the author” that were included. I appreciated the background that was given and the opportunity to learn more about this part of our history.
I loved the way the story was told both by Avery in the present day as she learns about her Grandmother’s history and in Mae’s memories of everything the family went through when they were children. I also really enjoyed that we weren’t just reading about Mae and Judy, but Avery and her current familial situation and her engagement as well. There was a lot going on, but it wasn’t confusing it was just interesting.
I think fans of Orphan Train, or people who enjoy historical fiction will truly enjoy this story.
Such a heart breaking true story of how children were “stolen” from poor families and placed with rich couples who couldn’t have children. An entire generation of lives were impacted from the late 1930s through the 1950s. It has some twists and turns and bit of mystery, but I couldn’t put it down…. Highly recommended reading!
Excellent book, great for book club…lots to talk about. Sad and hard to read at times but very well written
Very interesting history. Sad that this could happen in US
This is one of my favorite books. I suggested it for our book club and everyone loved it. Since it is based on true events we researched the child placement center. Hard to believe this went on for so many years. Crushes the heart!
Wingate skillfully weaves two story lines, past and present, in this moving novel based on a tragic chapter in history I knew little about before reading this book. The children’s story (the past) was the more wrenching; the characters are fully fleshed out and believable. I was drawn into their world, felt their pain, and was compelled to read quickly to the end. The general direction of the novel–the way the two stories eventually intersect–isn’t difficult to guess fairly early on, but several details and surprises along the way make for a highly suspenseful ride. Avery’s story (the present) is the less compelling and lapses into sappiness and predictability in the subplot about her love life. For that reason, and a couple of portions of the novel that are too long and overwritten, my rating drops from excellent (5) to very good (4).
Sometimes the past can’t be forgotten. Well written, heart -wrenching book based on true events.
What a tragic real story. It was amazing though. Couldn’t put it down.
loved it!
So amazing! This was the best audio book I have heard…probably ever! I was so touched emotionally by the story even before I realized it was based on truth. This book issued a huge emotional punch in the gut and in the heart. I was moved to tears so many times!
Stupendous writing job by Lisa Wingate and narrating by Emily Rankin and Catherine Taber. The performance of the book really heightened the experience.
If you only listen to one book this year, make it Before We Were Yours!
Although fiction- The Tennessee Children’s Home did exist and Georgia Tam was widely known for the “charitable” work in finding children homes…..even Eleanor Roosevelt acknowledged her. Kinda scary to think that when I was a small child this could actually happen and DID for many years…..
Couldnt put it down and read almost entire book in one day. Unbelievable how cruel and inhumane some people were. Children sold like commodities!
Before We Were Yours was a heart-wrenching story of loss and love. I found the characters truly believable which made the story that much more realistic. Based on true events from a dark blotch on our nation’s history, Before We Were Yours alternates between the past and the present bringing two vastly different worlds to an unexpected meeting point. A must read for those who enjoy realistic fiction.
Interesting history with some romance. so sad what was done to those children.
One of life’s great reads! It was hard to put down and you really get invested into the character’s lives. The storyline is surreal and since I was adopted it really hit home for me.
A poignant, deeply affecting novel about family based on a true-story that’s a sad chapter in America’s history.
Even though I read it a year ago, it has haunted me because it was based on real events.