This is a book that I believe more people should read. I read it about two years ago, and the story has stayed with me. I actually got totally drawn into the story, staying up late and getting up early to read over a summer weekend. Well written with well developed characters in a historic scene, with a message that more people should hear.

In a novel that combines painstaking historical reconstruction with unforgettable storytelling, Lalita Tademy presents an all too rarely seen part of American history, complete with a provocative portrayal of the complex, unspoken bonds between slaves and slave owners. Most of all, she gives us the saga of real, flesh-and-blood women making hard choices in the face of unimaginable loss, securing their identity and independence in order to face any obstacle, and inspiring all the generations to come.

This book was a touching tribute to the brave women who fought to survive in a harsh world where they had no rights and were at the mercy of the men who "owned" them. I found their stories so poignant and at times impossible to read. I can't imagine the sorrows that must have weighed heavily on their hearts. It tells the unique stories of the women from one family. Their lives are intertwined and they survive because of the strength of their matriarch who remains steadfast and true despite what she calls the whitening of her family. The author delves into the past and brings it to life. After reading this book, I felt very fortunate to live in this day and age.