Sixteen-year-old Lorena Leland’s dreams of a rich and fulfilling life as a writer are dashed when the stock market crashes in 1929. Seven years into the Great Depression, Rena’s banker father has retreated into the bottle, her sister is married to a lazy charlatan and gambler, and Rena is an unemployed newspaper reporter. Eager for any writing job, Rena accepts a position interviewing former … slaves for the Federal Writers’ Project. There, she meets Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman whose honest yet tragic past captivates Rena.As Frankie recounts her life as a slave, Rena is horrified to learn of all the older woman has endured–especially because Rena’s ancestors owned slaves. While Frankie’s story challenges Rena’s preconceptions about slavery, it also connects the two women whose lives are otherwise separated by age, race, and circumstances. But will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming?
more
From Endorsement:
Under the Tulip Tree is a brilliant and authentic look at the power of a story to break through the complicated entanglement of racial tension. Brave, authentic, and moving, Michelle Shocklee takes readers on an adventure of historical significance that is sure to leave them with hope. A grace-filled and beautiful reminder that every story—and every person—matters.
This book is right up there near the top of the best books I read in 2021! It takes readers into the lives of Lorena Leland, whose banker father lost everything in the 1929 stock market crash, and Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old former slave.
At 16, Lorena Leland dreams of becoming a great newspaper reporter. Then, the stock market crashes and just surviving day-to-day is becoming harder. Her father has taken the losses by crawling into the bottle, her mother by denying that their status has radically changed, and her sister by marrying a lazy charlatan and gambler who she thought would take her away from the despair in her home, and instead creates more. Lorena is the only one willing to work toward a solution. When the government offers a salary to anyone willing to interview former slaves, she takes the job and the prescribed questions, and begins her interviews.
After completing several interviews, she realizes that the questions she’s been given barely scratch the surface of the experiences these slaves have endured. When she meets Frankie Washington, she decides to change her approach. As her time with Frankie stretches into days, then weeks, the other interviewers begin to caution her that she’s spending too much time on one subject, but Frankie’s story begs to be told.
Knowing that her ancestors held slaves, Rena is horrified to hear what Frankie endured, even as a very young child. “While Frankie’s story challenges Rena’s preconceptions about slavery, it also connects the two women whose lives are otherwise separated by age, race, and circumstances. But will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming?”
This book was a history lesson, told in the most gripping way, with a dash of romance thrown in. I, too, was horrified to read many of the things that Frankie endured in her lifetime, and knowing that these stories likely actually happened to someone, somewhere, made me so very sad. In the end, Frankie’s survival is a triumph, and Rena’s article changes the way the slave interviews progressed.
I don’t think I can recommend this book highly enough! I actually listened to the audio version which added even more depth than reading it did. This was definitely a 5-star read!
Having read many of the interviews/stories of former enslaved men and women collected by the Federal Writers Project for my own research, I was instantly intrigued about a young woman on the other side of that coin, the one doing the interviewing, but this story went so far beyond that: engaging characters with equally compelling struggles and triumphs; so many themes that touched a cord with me, historically and emotionally. Highly recommended!
There are books that entertain and others that inform. A rare few will actually change you and this is one of those books. I was not sure about it at first as the topic has been well written in many other novels, but I was curious about all the hype. I am so glad I took the chance and picked it up. The writing drew me in and the storytelling was powerful and evocative. I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book. The bond that was created between these two women and how their stories wove together was pure literary magic.
During the Great Depression a young writer working for the WPA (Works Progress Administration) interviews and records the narratives of former slaves, never expecting to bond so closely with a woman over a century old. What she discovers—what they both discover—is more than either of them expected and life changing. Written as a time slip, Under the Tulip Tree is a remarkable book for our time, crossing races, ages, and getting to the heart of what we need—listening, understanding, compassion, forgiveness. Highly recommended.
Nashville. It was one thing to be caught up in the aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash and see how it impacted one particular family. But during the years of economic depression that followed, I was just as engaged in Rena’s assignment to interview ex-slave Frankie as part of the Federal Writers’ Project. Besides the balancing of two time periods (1930s and 1850s/1860s), Shocklee manages the give and take between two unlikely acquaintances as Rena draws out Frankie’s heart-rending stories. Each woman is changed by their numerous encounters as trust is built.
As Frankie shares the challenges of forgiveness and overcoming bitterness throughout the years, Rena learns to overcome her own fears about others’ opinions and judgments. I love stories that espouse a relationship between a younger woman and a grandmotherly figure. There is so much to be learned from the old. Rena doesn’t waste a minute to glean all she can. She goes above and beyond what she needs to capture for her assignment, and finds herself entwined in Frankie’s previous life in more ways than one.
This is a hard book to read but so worth it. It’s a story of slavery, injustice, friendship, love, and forgiveness. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning and it kept me captive until the end.
The characters were well done, believable, and so was the story. The author did a lot of research for this book and I want to read the real first hand accounts of slavery that she read and mentioned.
From the book: “Even though slavery isn’t legal anymore, I believe it’s important to remember the past as it truly was, not as we wish it to be.” And, “I believe understanding events of the past can help us make the future better for everyone.”
This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last.
Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee boldly invites the reader into the lives of Frankie, a 101-year-old former slave, and Lorena (Rena), a struggling writer, whose family once owned slaves. Frankie is an especially fascinating character. The way she talks – both her word choice and forthrightness – captivated me and made her the star of this novel in both timelines. Despite her tragic past, she bestows love on all those around her, treating all as family.
Although Under the Tulip Tree is based on the Federal Writers’ Project from the late 1930s, it is a work of deeply moving historical fiction. Sometimes the story felt very sad, and I paused reading as needed. The novel deals with themes of hatred, forgiveness, and racial reconciliation. I appreciated that hope prevailed for both Frankie and Rena.
Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee stands as the best book I have read so far in 2021. I read it with my church’s ladies book club and it generated plenty of discussion. I highly recommend this novel to readers of historical fiction.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
This is the third dual-time novel that I’ve read, and only the second that I’ve loved!!!! This book has me hooked from the first page, and I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. It took some twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and kept me on the edge of my seat. There were many aspects to the Civil War, many things that did not get taught in history class, many things that people are still trying to come to grips with today, and many things that are being rewritten. I don’t believe that all slaves were beaten, though I do believe that many were. We can’t stereotype every slave owner, just as we can’t stereotype everyone today. However, I do believe that this book tells us a story that weaves what happened to many people into one, and that through this book, God can teach all of us something about ourselves, our beliefs, and how we see our fellowman. This book teaches us how to forgive as God has forgiven us. There are many things we won’t understand this side of heaven. Loving our fellowman regardless of skin color is NOT one of them. We should be able to learn this lesson while here on earth, and this book shows us how we can do that, even as far as loving our enemies, as God word says.
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this historical novel by Michelle Shocklee. I appreciated the unexpected plot twists and the history behind this fictional tale. But perhaps even more important, this story of healing and forgiveness tugged on my heartstrings with a range of emotions. When a book can move me to tears—good tears—it becomes and remains a favorite.
4.5 stars
“Hatred is a powerful thing. It can turn a person into something they ain’t. It don’t matter what color your skin in.”
Never did she imagine that taking a job with the Federal Writers’ Project would lead her to a face in the mirror that she never wanted to call her own. Lorena Leland simply dreamed of being a writer, that’s all. Her post depression family desperately needed the income that she could generate and the job sounded interesting if not a bit inconsequential, for “How could interviewing people who’d lived in bondage decades earlier help (Lorena) see her future more clearly? There was only one way to find out.”
Mrs. Francis Washington. “Fact is, I ain’t never told my story to anyone since freedom come. No sense in rememberin’ them days, I say”. But remember them she did; Lorena spent days listening and writing, and writing and listening, to a story that begged release. . . . under the tulip tree.
Behold the lives of two women; one young and unsure of herself, the other “older than dirt” and quite certain that she has lived the life that God meant her to live; nonetheless the struggles were real, for Frankie’s outer wounds scarcely covered the ones she kept hidden within. Skillfully showcasing the power of forgiveness, the author tastefully pens events from a period of history that many would like to pretend never happened, but it’s only in the remembering that we can erase the possibility of repetition.
“I am going to tell your story, Frankie . . . . . .Thank you for entrusting me with it.”
Life changing events really do form us, and change us personally, and with the stock market crash of 1929 our girl Rena life changes forever.
Frankie Washington was born a slave, as we hear her story, you will cringe, so much pain for a little girl. We meet her at 101 years old, and I wanted to be there with Rena. What a gift she is given when Frankie agrees to tell her story, but never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed the connection.
The story Frankie tells will have you page turning, and we are gifted with her coming to faith, and how she shares it. Could I do what she did? No, I don’t think so, but God was pushing her, and the results were life changing.
A wonderful read, and I really couldn’t put it down!
I received this book through Edelweiss and Tyndale House Publishers. and was not required to give a positive review.
Loreana “Rena” Leland’s writing dreams went up in a puff of smoke with the stock market crash of 1929. Seven years into the Great Depression, she is invited to write for the Federal Writer’s Program.
I’m sure everyone learned something about slavery in school, but nothing to the extent that this novel portrays. It was interesting to see that Rena herself is changed by listening to and documenting Frankie’s stories. Rena honestly had enough family troubles without hearing about Frankie’s terrible treatment in life, but she persevered. A shocking revelation from a family member has Rena reeling from the truths that she encounters.
This was definitely a hard book to read due to the poor treatment of slaves, which I have no doubt did occur. I’m hopeful that some were treated well, but I’m afraid that was few and far between. The author did an excellent job of portraying the fictional Frankie and gave her a voice that was at the same time compelling and heartbreaking. This book moved very well for me and I read it in record time. It was my first time reading one of her novels, and I liked the author’s style and I will definitely be checking out her backlist.
I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I love books with a unique perspective to a popular topic. The kicker for me in this book was the story of the Federal Writers’ Project. I appreciated the true-to-life aspect of this story.
I enjoy the challenge of setting out for further research after reading a book like this.
The story itself was a bit predictable, although I still enjoyed finishing the entire book.
I lost interest in this book after about the mid-point. I don’t know why but found I was just reading words and not digesting the story. I really like the story up to that point but finally after re-starting pages gave up the attempt.
I enjoyed this book. It is definitely a story needed in our current societal climate. I was drawn into Frankie’s story and though horrible, it is just a fraction of how horrible life was for slaves. It is hard for us in today’s society to imagine what it was actually like to be owned like any other property and not allowed any rights at all. The theme of forgiveness was touching. It is hard to fathom how someone who had been treated like Frankie was could forgive those who had treated her in such a horrific way. I also enjoyed the story line set during the Depression; though, it offers only a glimpse of how much of a struggle life was at the time for most Americans. I would like to know more about the growing relationship between Rena and Alden and how their lives grew over the years.
Duel timelines tell a heartfelt tale of forgiveness and faith, against the backdrop of a segregated South during the Great Depression.
Lorena Leland’s world is upended by the stock market crash of 1929, and her privileged life begins to slowly unravel. Her dreams of becoming a famous writer suddenly put on the backburner. While her mother works to make ends meet, she takes a job with the WPA’s Federal Writer’s Project, interviewing former slaves about their experiences before and during the Civil War. There on assignment she meets Frankie Washington, a former slave over 100 years old, with a wealth of experiences and a powerful story to tell.
I loved every minute of this book, how it flowed easily between Rena’s present day and Frankie’s past, weaving a story of faith and forgiveness in the lives of two women. I liked how Rena was challenged by the project, how despite the fact that she had her own struggles and her life was far from perfect, it made her look outside of her own problems to the situations of others, making her take a closer look at her own life and beliefs.
This is a gripping read, and I didn’t want to put it down, the characters were so well developed, they felt relatable and authentic. I loved how the characters were shown, and how just as much was said by what they didn’t do, as by what they did. Captivating and poignant, this is a book that I didn’t want to put down, and easy had me riveted to the page. I admired Frankie so much for her courage and bravery, as well as her honesty when recounting the things that she had lived through, as well as her hope. A satisfying read, memorable and full of faith. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In Under the Tulip Tree, Michelle Shocklee tackles two dark periods in American history—the Great Depression and the Civil War era—with truth, respect, and grace.
The Federal Writers Project introduces Rena to Frankie, and just like Rena, I was drawn into this woman’s story. It’s not an easy one to hear. Injustice has been carried out by human beings since God created us (just open your Bible to Genesis and you’ll find plenty of it there).
Shocklee writes a beautiful story of two women changed by circumstances and fighting for their lives in different ways. There may many years between them and their social classes are almost as far apart, but these two connect in such a wonderful and heartfelt, often heartbreaking way, their stories will remain with me.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.