Wish The Author Had Taken The Magical Elements Even Further

Remembrance is a hidden stop on the Underground Railroad, a place where slaves and free persons alike can live in peace. The book follows four women through history, from Abigail in the 1700's, to Margot in the 1800's, to an elderly woman and a young nurse in the present day. There were elements of the story that I really liked, especially the strength and determination of the women who had to fight almost insurmountable odds to survive. The young woman's perspective was not as successful, as her story seemed almost out of place. I understand that the author was showing beginning of the torch being passed, but I wish that the story stayed firmly in the past. The atrocities that were thrust upon the women from the earlier time periods were very realistic and showed the harsh conditions in which they lived. Elements of this book reminded me of The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates and I had the same reaction to Remembrance that I had with that novel. The magical element makes the book unique and I wish the author had taken it even further. Without the present day perspective, Remembrance would have been a stronger novel for me, but I would recommend it to those who like historical fiction laced with a little magical realism.