2 CHILDREN FOR SALE
The scrawled sign, peddling young siblings on a farmhouse porch, captures the desperation sweeping the country in 1931. It’s an era of breadlines, bank runs, and impossible choices.
For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when the image leads to his big break, the consequences are devastating in ways he never imagined.
Haunted by secrets of her own, secretary Lillian Palmer sees more in the picture than a good story and is soon drawn into the fray. Together, the two set out to right a wrongdoing and mend a fractured family, at the risk of everything they value.
Inspired by an actual newspaper photo that stunned readers across the nation, this touching novel explores the tale within the frame and behind the lens—a journey of ambition, love, and the far-reaching effects of our actions.
ARC Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication:
August 28th 2018
by Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Historical Fiction
Kristine's Thoughts:
** I received an advanced readers copy from Sourcebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Kristina McMorris is not a new author to me so when the opportunity to get my hands on an advanced copy of Sold on a Monday arose I jumped at it. Although I read and enjoy all different genres, historical fiction always seems to capture me in a way I can't describe. Partly I think it is because it is hard to imagine living through the many difficult times and struggles of our past. It seems so foreign and tragic. Whatever the reason, McMorris managed once again to capture me with her story that came from a real life picture.
Ellis was a struggling reporter who happened upon two young boys playing outside their farm house and a sign that said 2 CHILDREN FOR SALE. He snapped a picture which unintentionally lead to the break he was looking for with his career. With a little guidance from Lily, the newspaper secretary, he wrote an article that was sure to garnish attention. When the photo got damaged he needed to get another one but when he went back to the farmhouse to recreate it the boys and family were gone. The sign remained. In a bit of a desperate state, he asked the neighbouring girl and boy's mother if he could take their picture with the sign thinking nobody would know the difference. Little did he know the chain of events that would unfold because of it that would lead him and Lily to chase after a mistake in order to right an unintentional wrong.
The best way to describe this book is like a roller coaster. It started out slow and steady and began its sleepy climb up to the peak where it catapulted down in a maze of twists and turns until the inevitable end. At first I have to admit that I wasn't exactly sure what the story was going to be about because it spent a lot of time in the news room and not much of anywhere else. However, in hindsight, I can see the importance of that setting and how it was effective in the character development of both Ellis and Lily. By the time the story started to take flight, I was fully invested in the characters and I cared about their outcome.
McMorris managed to take me back in time to when so many families were struggling. I found myself thinking about how bad a situation must have been in order to sell ones children. Could I have done it? How desperate would I need to be? The desperation and heartbreak these families went through was gut whrenching and unimaginable. This day and age we think nothing of women having children out of wedlock so it is hard to imagine Lily's plight and the shame and secrecy that went with it. These are all things that I appreciate about historical fiction. Although fiction, I learn about a different time and place.
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey that this book took me on. After the slow climb it kept me on the edge of my seat, I couldn't wait to find out how it all played out. Once again, Kristina McMorris did not disappoint!
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