Before We Were Yours
By Lisa Wingate
- Release Date: 2017-06-06
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Description
THE BLOCKBUSTER HIT—Over two million copies sold! A New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller
“Poignant, engrossing.”—People • “Lisa Wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nation’s history and weaves a tale of enduring power.”—Paula McLain
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 the dark truth. 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 to 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—Lisa 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.
Publishers Weekly’s #3 Longest-Running Bestseller of 2017 • Winner of the Southern Book Prize • If All Arkansas Read the Same Book Selection
This edition includes a new essay by the author about shantyboat life.
Reviews
Fascinating
5By ChanteneDVery well written. I could hardly put it down. Thoroughly enjoyable.River in their souls
5By Ruth BacklundSome scenes were difficult to push through, but like the truth, always cathartic. The story told of chance happenings that directed lives in opposite directions, and it highlighted the the fact that any societal differences in people are no more than a blind roll of the dice and should be recognized as such. A good read, excellect food for thought.A truly wonderful heart warming story!!!
5By Midwestern womanIs a great book. I couldn’t put it down!!!! Absolutely worth reading!!!!Excellent!
5By TBPembergateThis book was truly captivating. I didn’t want to put it down. Highly recommend!Before we were yours
5By jboliver007This is a believable tale spun charmingly! This deserves 5 Stars!Such a wonderful tale!
5By PatioreaderSuch a wonderful tale of sisters whose lives began in a totally different way than they became. They never forget that life where they began. You need to read the book to see where later life takes them.A Step Into Another Time
5By Happy DEThis was one of the best books I have read in a long while. I loved how Avery kept working at solving the mystery that was her family’s legacy. I had a hard time putting it down because you become totally drawn into the story to the point you feel like you’re there. Fantastic!!Unique and Interesting story!
4By CarlyM15I loved the story of May/Rill. I loved the character development. It was hard not to give it 5 stars, but I thought the back and forth was too much and confusing in the beginning. I also didn’t love Avery Stafford’s story. It felt forced. I could have read about Kingdom Arcadia forever though!Tough but good read
3By Kendyl-AnneThe back and forth was good, not confusing, but there were soooo many names. I needed a chart to remember the names. I was disappointed with the lack of character development of Tann and her partner.. there was nothing, just evil? Then I had to read the prologue to tell me about the “spotters”… they would have been helpful in reading, I was wondering what drove the police to take the kids in the first place… There was no follow up on the siblings, even tho the Sisters never found out, it could have been written for the reader… over all good read, not one I will recommend tho.Tears
5By Ava baby88This was a book knowing that this was actually happeningWonderful read
5By lolijamesI loved this book.Sad
3By GordycakezThis book is well written and tells a heartbreaking story of loss and fear it does have parts of child abuse and I felt just sad and sickened while readingWhat a lovely read! .
5By MelissaW50I fell in love with the characters from the start, and couldn't wait to see where the story would go. I was not disappointed!Before we were yours
5By DenlouiseMA fantastic heart warming story of family. Skillfully written to capture your interest and then bring a story to life. A book that you can’t put down and never want to end!MUST READ
5By Amad1993Amazing book!!Excellent Book l
5By Vicki LQThis book was very hard to put down! It grabbed me from the get go!The story of the past vs. present
3By PlfwqI loved the story from the past. Remarkable tale of the lengths that love will go to. However the present day characters were so flat and unlikeable. Even the ones I was supposed to like had me skimming the present day chapters to get back to the past.Incredibl story that stickers with you over time!!
5By MajicredsLoved this Story!Absolutely enjoyed this book
5By ksr1170This book was very well written and had me captivated beginning to end. I highly recommend you take a chance on this wonderful story
