NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of Before We Were Yours comes a dramatic historical novel of three young women searching for family amid the destruction of the post–Civil War South, and of a modern-day teacher who learns of their story and its vital connection to her students’ lives.“An absorbing historical . . . enthralling.”—Library JournalBestselling author Lisa Wingate … Journal
Bestselling author Lisa Wingate brings to life startling stories from actual “Lost Friends” advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as newly freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones who had been sold away.
Louisiana, 1875: In the tumultuous era of Reconstruction, three young women set off as unwilling companions on a perilous quest: Hannie, a freed slave; Lavinia, the pampered heir to a now destitute plantation; and Juneau Jane, Lavinia’s Creole half sister. Each carries private wounds and powerful secrets as they head for Texas, following roads rife with vigilantes and soldiers still fighting a war lost a decade before. For Lavinia and Juneau Jane, the journey is one of stolen inheritance and financial desperation, but for Hannie, torn from her mother and siblings before slavery’s end, the pilgrimage west reignites an agonizing question: Could her long-lost family still be out there? Beyond the swamps lie the limitless frontiers of Texas and, improbably, hope.
Louisiana, 1987: For first-year teacher Benedetta Silva, a subsidized job at a poor rural school seems like the ticket to canceling her hefty student debt—until she lands in a tiny, out-of-step Mississippi River town. Augustine, Louisiana, is suspicious of new ideas and new people, and Benny can scarcely comprehend the lives of her poverty-stricken students. But amid the gnarled live oaks and run-down plantation homes lie the century-old history of three young women, a long-ago journey, and a hidden book that could change everything.
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Breathtaking book! So much emotion in all areas in this adventure of Hannie with all the twists and turns surrounding her. It’s impossible not to laugh at some of the antics and not to cry at the loss of family members disappearing, not knowing what happened or where they could be. So why not place an ad in a newspaper to be sent out to thousands of places to try to locate a loved one. But to organize this would be so difficult in the 19th century. This book shares real ads placed in those terrible times.
With alternating chapters, Benny, in modern day is a young teacher who wants more for her students than is expected of them. Her courageous story surrounds her love of books as well as her love for her students. Her fascination to uncover the mystery in her small town beautifully ties in with Hannie’s history.
Well researched and well written book. An amazing story. A must read to learn to the history of our country as well as enjoying the stories in between!
Awesome work by Lisa Wingate as always! This book was so captivating I couldn’t put it down. Both story lines, past and present, were interesting and educational. I love it when you read a book and not only fall in love with the characters but learn something too! If you enjoy historical fiction you will love this book. Appropriate for all ages, you’ll learn a lot about some determined women who took chances and fought for what they felt was right. Don’t hesitate – put this book on your “to read” list now and order it!! You won’t regret it!
Lisa Wingate has long been my favorite author. This is an amazing book. I always learn something I didn’t know before through her books. It takes place in the South following the Civil War. “The Lost Friends” was an actual newspaper column where slaves tried to find their families that had been sold to other people. I had never heard of this, even though I knew the fact that families were torn apart. Lisa includes actual true advertisements in the book from “The Lost Friends” column. You can hear the heartbreak in these ads. Every book she writes is more engrossing and somehow better than the last. This book has two parallel stories, one just after the Civil War and one taking place in 1987. She is a wonderful author. Everyone should read this book.
It took me longer than usual to finish reading The Lost Book of Friends—it was beautifully written and filled with so much wisdom, I slowed down to savor the words and emotions. The book features a dual timeline, 100 years apart, told by Hannie and Benny—two extraordinary, brave women. This is a rich, heart wrenching book that touches on themes that bind us all. To quote from the book, “It’s a story of reunion and the pain of absence, of perseverance and grit.” I was incredibly touched by the stories of both women: Hannie, a former slave searching for her lost family, who is so courageous and persistent; Benny is a devoted teacher whose efforts to reach her students are truly inspiring. I love when a book with dual timelines come together in a way that is so surprising thar it takes my breath away. I thank Lisa Wingate for writing this story—another story that would have been lost if not for this book.
This is another unputdownable page-turner by author Lisa Wingate. I absolutely loved this book that was rich in history from the Reconstruction era which featured freed slave 18-year-old Hannie Gossett who ends up on a journey to Texas with pampered plantation heirs Lavina and her Creole half-sister Juneau Jane in search of what happened to their inheritance in 1875 Agusta, Louisiana. This story alternates with 1987 Louisiana and English teacher Benedetta “Benny Silva who comes to Agusta, LA in search of a job that will erase her student loans. Benny’s students range from 7th through 12th grade and most of them are not interested in learning. It is a struggle to get them to learn until she stumbles upon an idea to get them interested in doing research on the people who are buried in the old cemetery behind her rented house and the plantation owners. The Gossett family who still live and pretty much own the town do everything they can to stop her from her students’ project.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review.
I have been fortunate to receive an advanced reader’s edition of Lisa Wingate’s THE BOOK OF LOST FRIENDS. Through two main characters, Hennie, a freed slave living in Reconstruction Era South, and Bennie, first year teacher in rural Louisiana in 1987, the book brings to life the lives of those who were separated from family following the Civil War. It contains reprints of “Lost Friends” advertisements from the SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE , a Methodist newspaper, in which writers recount their family stories in hopes of locating lost family members. Using historical fiction, Wingate recreates a time period and enables the reader to see inside her characters and form connections with them. She did this so very well in recent best seller, BEFORE WE WERE YOURS, and brilliantly does it again with this book.
The writing is immediately engaging; characters are well-drawn and multi-dimensional; descriptions of location produce sense of actually being there. And, over-riding it all is the author’s talent to pull the reader into the story, not only to entertain, but also to learn and to care. The plot is a page-tuner, yet I was frequently compelled to just stop and process the feelings the writing evoked.
In author’s note, Wingate describes receiving a letter from a volunteer doing data entry of “Lost Friends” columns to make them accessible to researchers. The volunteer wrote, “There is a story in each of these ads”. There is a story in each of us. Lisa Wingate’s blessing to me is the way her writing encourages me to understand the uniqueness and beauty of my story. This goes beyond the gift of writing a “good book’.
“Sad thing when stories die for lack of listenin’ ears.”
Goswood Grove has myriads of stories begging to be released from beneath its former magnificence; they lie suffocating under covered furniture, imposing family portraits, and dusty tomes, for who is brave enough to search for them, much less tell them? Might a determined first year teacher, arriving in a town with so much blended ethnicity that everyone just might be kin to everyone else, be able to release the words in all their glorious ugliness and hopefulness, simply by inspiring her students to revel in the truth of their heritage? It’s a challenge that she’s willing to take.
This isn’t just a book, it’s a volume of history. It’s a story with a life of its own; living and breathing through the voices of its characters. It’s injustice personified. It’s divine providence recognized. It’s hope. It’s glory. It’s life in American as it once was and by the grace of God Almighty will never be again. It’s the “best of times”. It’s the “worst of times”. It’s time for the “book of lost friends” to be opened.
“We die once when the breath leaves our bodies. We die a second time when the last person speaks our name.” . . . . . “I remember you.”
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Lisa has become one of the best historical fiction writers in our time. Her stories are so well researched and truly take the reader into the past. I love how Lisa is able to tie things together between the 19th century and 20th century in this book. It was a hard read at times but also an uplifting one. I believe the book will remain in my heart for a long time!
I had heard some great things about this author, and really wanted to read this book. I was so excited that I won it in a giveaway! However, the book was good, but not as good as it could have been. I had a hard time getting into the book. The first chapter takes place in 1875, the second takes place in 1987. For the rest of the book it’s back and forth. That was fine. It was just that once I was really getting into the story line for 1875, it would switch back to 1987. The most interesting part by far was the time spent in 1875. The time in 1987 wasn’t as interesting when the students weren’t in it. That time finally got more interesting in the last few chapters of it. A little more time spent with the Benny getting to actually know her students would have been nice, and more a Christian theme would have helped, too.
I had never heard of the Lost Friends, and really liked finding out about that very real part of the story. It would have been more interesting in 1987 if we had learned more about what the students thought of finding their ancestors, and what happened to the cemetery in the orchard, like it was protected or something.
Still, if you’re a fan of Lisa Wingate, I’m sure you’re used to her style and that you’d love this book.
I was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
Thankful to the author and publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this wonderful book. I loved the book of course, Lisa Wingate does not write a bad book. And it is historical fiction which has quickly become one of my favorite genres. Although I loved the book, it did not compare to Before We Were Yours. And I am guilty of comparing all her books to Before We Were Yours. It is a beautifully written and poignant book. The Book of Lost Friends details the story of a woman in the present and one in the past and how one affects the other. With secrets revealed at the end that you will not expect. I highly recommend this book. (less)
This was a very good story. Once again the author brings us a story about a true event that happened in history, which for me was a new story that I had not heard about.
A woman who had read the authors previous book, told her about a piece of history she was working on, one to preserve (the history of Lost friends column), which were composed of letters written to the Southwestern Christian Advocate, a Methodist paper, and other Southern papers by mainly freed slaves after the end of the civil war. People who were lost to each other due to being separated and sold in slavery, married off to someone or just not knowing what happened to their relative. These letters were sent to churches where they were read by the pastor in hopes that someone would know someone listed.
The story takes place between two time periods:
Louisiana 1875 where we follow three young women, Lavinia, heir to a now destitute Plantation, Juneau Jane her illegitimate free-born Creole half-sister, and Hannie, Lavinia’s former slave.
They set off to find Lavina and Juneau Jane’s father about their inheritance and Hannie to try and find out about her family.
Louisiana 1987, where first-year teacher Benedetta Silva, (Benny for short), struggles with teaching her students at a poor rural school in Augustine Louisiana.
These two stories come together as we merge the two time periods and the history of this town.
I don’t want to spell out the story, but there is so much that goes on in this wonderfully written historical novel.
I cannot wait for another book by this author.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for a copy of this book.
Heartfelt determination, grit, stamina, strength beyond words…that is how I think of the main characters in this amazing story. Two women from different eras connected through history, family and faith. Excellent. I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required.
Lisa Wingate brings to life a post civil war column, Lost Friends, in her new book The Book of Lost Friends. There are dual stories of Hannie in 1875 and Benny in 1987.
As always Lisa will pull you into the story and capture your imagination to a part of history many of us had no idea existed.
At times your heart will speed up because of the suspense and other times you might have to grab a tissue. Honestly sometimes I would wake up the morning thinking about Hannie.
Because Lisa is such a wonderful story teller Hannie and Benny became like family.
To me an author that leaves little clues through out the book are my favorite…probably because I am a detail person. So FYI…look for Lisa’s little clues as you read the book.
Once again Lisa has woven a true story into a beautiful book that all should read.
Oh my! Where do I start to describe this incredible read? Being a retired Reading/Social Studies teacher that’s favorite era to read about and teach was the 1800s, this story grabbed me from the start. This would have been such a great addition to my unit as I shared some of the story. I also love the way Lisa Wingate weaves the story through multiple generations and their unlikely connections with 2 main characters: Hannie of the post Civil War era and Benny of current times. Both are trying in their own way to keep a family’s history alive. It’s a “sad thing when stories die for lack of listenin’ ears” to quote Granny T. Hannie is working to reconnect with not only her own family, but help others as well through The Book of Lost Friends, and Benny is trying to bring history alive in the small Louisiana town where’s she’s teaching. Benny quotes an old proverb saying, “We die once when the last breath leaves our bodies. We die a second time when the last person speaks our name.” This is why passing down family history from generation to generation is so important.
My heart will be taking this trip for a long time. Bennie as a brave new teacher takes on classrooms of disinterested children, preening school board members and secrets of Goswood Grove Plantation… In a classroom devoid of books, she is determined to find new books, new ways to capture the hearts and minds of her students. Bennie never dreamed this journey would take her back a hundred years, to discover Hannie, a child of slaves and the lengths Hannie would go to, to save lives. In saving those lives, Hannie stumbles into a wall of advertisements…former slaves looking for family members who have been separated and torn from each other’s arms. The journey, taken with uncommon bravery, Hannie is trying to help others find answers and finds answers for herself.
Bennie unveils one-hundred-year-old secrets that touches the lives of her students and opens a whole new world. She and the plantation owner Nathan expose truths that had lain dormant…secrets that travel from Louisiana to Texas and back again to the place it all started. The Book of Lost Friends is action from beginning to end, it captures your imagination and leaves words whispering through your heart long after the last word is read.
Review Book of Lost Friends
Wow! Just Wow! I just finished an advance copy of Book of Lost Friends. If you enjoyed Before We were Yours or any of Lisa Wingate’s stories you need to read this newest book. It is her best, hands down. This book is beyond captivating, beyond fascinating. It was reach down deep satisfying, like a perfect day. It is memorable, these characters will stay with you, and challenge you. I love history and this was a time and place in history that I had not studied, though many of the themes are current and apply to us today. Lisa has a marvelous talent for adding just the exact right amount of humor to lighten a serious subject, and just the right touches of romance to warm your heart, and the perfect dose of mystery to keep you wondering how it will end. I will close my review with 4 of my favorite quotes from the book.
” Stories change people. History, real history helps people understand each other, see each other from the inside out.”
“…They deserve the same chance friends and mentors gave me to see the life you create for yourself can be entirely different from the one you came from.”
” The past travels with you. It’s whether you run from it or learn from it that makes all the difference.”
“We all have scars. It’s when you’re honest about them that you find the people who will love you in spite of your nicks and dents. Perhaps even because of them”
Write on, Lisa Wingate. This was the best! 5 stars with icing on the top!
This book was given by the publisher with no need of review
4.5 STARS
I know history is not necessarily my strongest subject but I thought I knew a bit more about this era than I obviously did/do. Lisa Wingate found another piece of American history that brings both shame and courage to the slave era. The book is written in a two dimensional way with characters in the modern era and also in the post slavery era.
As you read the book it is difficult to decide do you want to be with Hannie, trying to find her family and the difficult journey she ends up on? Do you want want to be with Bennie, a junior high teacher, trying to teach low income students? How will these two stories intersect?
One thought mentioned in the book is from an old proverb “We die once when the last breath leaves our bodies. We die a second time when the last person speaks our name.” ‘The first death is beyond our control, but the second one we can strive to prevent.”’ This has really stuck in my heart, my head even deep in my soul. When are we forgotten? Are we forgotten? If I’m only remembered for a few generations I want to be remembered for kindness, friendship and love. Especially now in these turbulent days. This book speaks of these three virtues. Bennie & Hannie had these virtues even when they couldn’t see them. I promise you also will find these virtues plus a whole lot of courage! Clean Read
A wonderful dual time line story of women in two different times. In 1875, Hannie is a former slave to Lavinia. Juneau Jane is Lavinia’s illegitimate half sister. The three girls end up on an adventure to Texas looking for the girl’s father. Along the way they have many trials and hardships to overcome. In 1987, Bennie moves to Louisiana to be a school teacher. Benny is renting a run down cottage by an old mansion surrounded by a cemetery. As Benny’s world collides with the women’s from a 100 years ago, the reader is taken on quite an adventure. This book has so many emotions with the stories of the 4 brave and strong women. There is happiness and sadness, secrets, hopelessness and hope. It is a story that will definitely stay with the reader for a long time to come. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
Book of the Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
Facts of the past intertwined with Lisa’s incredible storytelling equals another book that had all my emotions captive.
The story begins in 1875 with Hannie Gossett, a six-year-old slave born girl. Hannie and her family are stolen from the Gossett’s by a family member who was supposed to be relocating them. Even at the young age of six, Hannie memorizes each family member and where they were sold…and to who.
Benny Silva comes to teach at a school in a poor area. Augustine, Louisiana will be her home for the next five years…and then her student loans will be forgiven. Not so easy when has large numbers of students in each class, with very few caring to learn.
The house she rents is on an old plantation. When she learns of the history and brings that to her classroom, everything changes.
**Received from publisher for an honest review
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This was at times a sad book. For a family to be ripped apart, sold off and not know where they ended up. It was heartbreaking. It did start a bit slow for me with the alternating back and forth. I like how Benny was able to turn her class interest around. I might have enjoyed her story more. Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy