Powerful Multi-generational Story
I am amazed this is a first novel. Erin Bartels skillfully weaves three storylines through different time periods and gives life to all the characters so the reader is never confused. The story is told through the lives of three three generations of strong women.
We first meet Elizabeth in present day, and the first chapter sets the scene: she is a reporter who is contacted by members of the Rich family who ask her to return a camera and photos to a relative she doesn't know. Next we meet Nora in 1963 whose life takes a drastic turn when she sees a photo of a family member in a most unexpected place. Finally we meet Mary in 1862 when her husband volunteers to be a soldier in the Civil War and involves her in harboring escaping slaves. Each woman's life reflects the unique times in which she lives yet several aspects, including race relations, photography, and quilting and common and important to all three eras.
This powerful novel would generate important conversations for book clubs and will likely earn a position in my top 10 reads of 2019. I'm eager to read the author's next novel to be released fall 2019.
We first meet Elizabeth in present day, and the first chapter sets the scene: she is a reporter who is contacted by members of the Rich family who ask her to return a camera and photos to a relative she doesn't know. Next we meet Nora in 1963 whose life takes a drastic turn when she sees a photo of a family member in a most unexpected place. Finally we meet Mary in 1862 when her husband volunteers to be a soldier in the Civil War and involves her in harboring escaping slaves. Each woman's life reflects the unique times in which she lives yet several aspects, including race relations, photography, and quilting and common and important to all three eras.
This powerful novel would generate important conversations for book clubs and will likely earn a position in my top 10 reads of 2019. I'm eager to read the author's next novel to be released fall 2019.