Don't Miss This - fans of historical fiction
I rarely give out 5 stars - it has to be exceptional and this is.
“Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus.”
We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes ~ Detroit city motto
This is the authors first novel, although she has been a publishing professional for 17 years. What a debut this is! This powerful and moving work completely enchanted me and left me in awe of how effortlessly the reader is guided into three different time frames. It opens in current day, but as the story progresses, we are taken to the 1860s when the Union Army was being formed to fight for the abolishment of slavery, and the story of Mary Balsam and her family is peeled away, like layers of an onion, bringing us as many tears... but do not despair, dear reader, as it also brings us hope and joy.
The protagonist, journalist Elizabeth Balsam, has been asked to investigate the background of some never seen or published photographs taken in the 1967 Detroit riots, a story that could be just what she needs for that boost in her career. Somehow a great uncle of hers is tied into those photographs but at that point she doesn’t know about him or how. We are introduced to a mixed race couple living in that time frame, William and Nora. In present day, Elizabeth’s great-aunt Nora is elderly and living alone. Elizabeth has been asked by another family member to go check on Nora, as she’s getting forgetful and may be in need of assisted living. The opportunity and challenge Elizabeth gladly accepts, hoping to get some past history of the family and some answers about the historical photos that only Nora can provide.
Like a well woven tapestry, Bartels has put together an intricate and captivating piece of work based on true facts that gives us a lot of history, not just about Detroit and Michigan, but other places in America experiencing life-changing events in those historical times. We clearly see that some things have changed, but that race is still a factor in America today and that the fight continues for equality.
I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Mary and George, from the 1800’s. The lyrical prose had me so involved in their story. Bartels character development did not disappoint. All were believable and well crafted, but these unforgettable characters Mary and George, captured my romantic heart. The last installment of their story had my stomach plummeting and my heart racing. 😞
Do NOT miss reading this if you are a fan of historical fiction. This also weaves in quilt-making and gardening, a little something for everyone. I learned and enjoyed so much from this writing. I have only once before given a debut novel 5-stars, and that was for The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom, also a powerful and moving novel, which is on my favorites shelf. See my review here at GoodReads.
My thanks to the publishers for providing me a finished copy through BookishFirst. It arrived late, after publication date due to the holidays, so I couldn’t review it prior to publication. It is available now at all retailers.
Kudos, Ms. Bartels, I’ll keep my eye on you! (less)
“Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus.”
We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes ~ Detroit city motto
This is the authors first novel, although she has been a publishing professional for 17 years. What a debut this is! This powerful and moving work completely enchanted me and left me in awe of how effortlessly the reader is guided into three different time frames. It opens in current day, but as the story progresses, we are taken to the 1860s when the Union Army was being formed to fight for the abolishment of slavery, and the story of Mary Balsam and her family is peeled away, like layers of an onion, bringing us as many tears... but do not despair, dear reader, as it also brings us hope and joy.
The protagonist, journalist Elizabeth Balsam, has been asked to investigate the background of some never seen or published photographs taken in the 1967 Detroit riots, a story that could be just what she needs for that boost in her career. Somehow a great uncle of hers is tied into those photographs but at that point she doesn’t know about him or how. We are introduced to a mixed race couple living in that time frame, William and Nora. In present day, Elizabeth’s great-aunt Nora is elderly and living alone. Elizabeth has been asked by another family member to go check on Nora, as she’s getting forgetful and may be in need of assisted living. The opportunity and challenge Elizabeth gladly accepts, hoping to get some past history of the family and some answers about the historical photos that only Nora can provide.
Like a well woven tapestry, Bartels has put together an intricate and captivating piece of work based on true facts that gives us a lot of history, not just about Detroit and Michigan, but other places in America experiencing life-changing events in those historical times. We clearly see that some things have changed, but that race is still a factor in America today and that the fight continues for equality.
I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Mary and George, from the 1800’s. The lyrical prose had me so involved in their story. Bartels character development did not disappoint. All were believable and well crafted, but these unforgettable characters Mary and George, captured my romantic heart. The last installment of their story had my stomach plummeting and my heart racing. 😞
Do NOT miss reading this if you are a fan of historical fiction. This also weaves in quilt-making and gardening, a little something for everyone. I learned and enjoyed so much from this writing. I have only once before given a debut novel 5-stars, and that was for The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom, also a powerful and moving novel, which is on my favorites shelf. See my review here at GoodReads.
My thanks to the publishers for providing me a finished copy through BookishFirst. It arrived late, after publication date due to the holidays, so I couldn’t review it prior to publication. It is available now at all retailers.
Kudos, Ms. Bartels, I’ll keep my eye on you! (less)