Two families, generations
apart, are forever changed by a heartbreaking injustice in this
poignant novel, inspired by a true story, for readers of Orphan Train and The Nightingale.
Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old 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 that the truth is much darker. 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 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—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.
Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old 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 that the truth is much darker. 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 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—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.
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
June 6th 2017
by Ballantine Books
Terri's Thoughts
I selected this book in audio form based on the high ranking this story received on Goodreads under the historical fiction genre on Goodreads. Boy was I glad I did!
In full disclosure, I read this book quite some time ago and I am only getting around to writing the review now. As a result I fear this will be short and perhaps not give it the justice it deserves. Fortunately there are a lot of reviews already available on Goodreads for those wanting to learn a bit more.
I was horrified to discover that this was loosely based on a true story. I had no idea that this was something that occurred and I knew nothing about Georgia Tan and her real life crimes. Upon completion of this book, I found myself researching the actual events that occurred wanting to know what happened. I can't believe something like this actually happened where children were ripped from their homes to be put up for adoption to wealthy families. Definitely not a shining moment in history.
When a story leads me to do additional research upon completion I know it is a good one. This one stayed with me for quite some time after the last word was read. For those who have chosen to read this as an audio book, there is quite a bit of additional information about these events and although sometimes I am guilty of not reading/listening to this part, I paid attention to every single word.
Wingate is an unfamiliar author to me but based on this story, I plan to seek out other work by her as I was captivated from the very beginning.
I selected this book in audio form based on the high ranking this story received on Goodreads under the historical fiction genre on Goodreads. Boy was I glad I did!
In full disclosure, I read this book quite some time ago and I am only getting around to writing the review now. As a result I fear this will be short and perhaps not give it the justice it deserves. Fortunately there are a lot of reviews already available on Goodreads for those wanting to learn a bit more.
I was horrified to discover that this was loosely based on a true story. I had no idea that this was something that occurred and I knew nothing about Georgia Tan and her real life crimes. Upon completion of this book, I found myself researching the actual events that occurred wanting to know what happened. I can't believe something like this actually happened where children were ripped from their homes to be put up for adoption to wealthy families. Definitely not a shining moment in history.
When a story leads me to do additional research upon completion I know it is a good one. This one stayed with me for quite some time after the last word was read. For those who have chosen to read this as an audio book, there is quite a bit of additional information about these events and although sometimes I am guilty of not reading/listening to this part, I paid attention to every single word.
Wingate is an unfamiliar author to me but based on this story, I plan to seek out other work by her as I was captivated from the very beginning.
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