Detroit Free Press journalist Elizabeth Balsam was contacted by an older gentleman, James Rich, with a request to reach out to an unknown relative and help him return some belongings to her. This set the scene for Elizabeth moving in with her great-aunt Nora in a house in the countryside that has been in the family for years. The story alternates easily between Elizabeth's story in current times, Nora's life in the 1960's, and Mary Balsam's life in the 1860's.
In the 1960's, Nora, a well-off white woman, had married William Rich, a black photographer, and was exiled from her family. She and William moved to the house in Lapeer. William returned to Detroit in 1967 while the riots were taking place. As Elizabeth is learning some of Nora's history, she is also soul-searching about what she wants to do with her own life, reflecting on her decisions and choices.
Mary's chapters tell the story of how she and her husband provided a refuge for escaped and freed slaves at their Michigan farm (the same house). Overall, this is a well-researched novel based on history, sharing perspectives of pivotal events and time periods in our nation's and Detroit's history as it relates to racial inequality. It was well-worth reading. I found the book very readable, especially with the alternating storylines.
Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In the 1960's, Nora, a well-off white woman, had married William Rich, a black photographer, and was exiled from her family. She and William moved to the house in Lapeer. William returned to Detroit in 1967 while the riots were taking place. As Elizabeth is learning some of Nora's history, she is also soul-searching about what she wants to do with her own life, reflecting on her decisions and choices.
Mary's chapters tell the story of how she and her husband provided a refuge for escaped and freed slaves at their Michigan farm (the same house). Overall, this is a well-researched novel based on history, sharing perspectives of pivotal events and time periods in our nation's and Detroit's history as it relates to racial inequality. It was well-worth reading. I found the book very readable, especially with the alternating storylines.
Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.