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23rd out of 54 books
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19 voters
Redfield Farm: A Novel of the Underground Railroad
REDFIELD FARM explores the paradox between peoples' professed beliefs and their actions. The main characters are Quaker and live in a solidly Quaker community. Quakers are non-violent yet the actions of the two main characters will go to any lengths to help fugitive slaves escape. Quakers believe in equality, yet when a mixed-race child is born they turn their backs and ar...more
Kindle Edition, 280 pages
Published
January 11th 2011
(first published August 3rd 2010)
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A very remarkably told saga of the Redfield family of Quaker tradition living in Pennsylvania during the time of slavery in the America's. Young Ann reveals the challenges and rewards of raisng her siblings after the loss of their mother. We are given insight to Quaker ways, their belief in equality, family and standing behind their belief systems. With great peril for thier own safety, Ann and her brother Jesse assist hundreds of slaves escape to Canada to freedom. It is a most heartwarming, at...more
Dec 22, 2012
Virginia Myers
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Someone who loves to read about the civil war
This is a very good book if you are interested in Civil War history. It brings out the heroism of the “conductors” along the routes of the Underground Railroad which was the lifeline between slaves and freedom in Canada. It tells the story of a Quaker family in Pennsylvania who put themselves in danger in order to assist hundreds escape the miseries of slavery. I agree with the description printed on the back of the book: “The author brings a deep understanding of the details of the Underground...more
Ann Redfield and her Jesse brother are Quakers, and conductors on the Underground Railroad. Their activities lead to complicated relationships with their other Quaker neighbors, pro-slavery neighbors, and the fugitives themselves. One night when Jesse returns from a run with a deadly fever, accompanied by a fugitive, Josiah, who is also deathly ill, Ann nurses both back to health. But precious time is lost, and Josiah is too weak for winter travel, and stays on at Redfield Farm where Ann becomes...more
Historical fiction.
A good wholesome book about a family of Pennsylvania Quakers and their role in the inderground railroad prior to, during, and after the civil war. The story is told by, and follows the life of the main character Ann Redfield from her earliest memories to just prior to her death, as an aging woman. Dealing with far more than just the underground railroad it is a story about the Quaker community, which to be honest, really sounded wonderful during this time period, before modern...more
A good wholesome book about a family of Pennsylvania Quakers and their role in the inderground railroad prior to, during, and after the civil war. The story is told by, and follows the life of the main character Ann Redfield from her earliest memories to just prior to her death, as an aging woman. Dealing with far more than just the underground railroad it is a story about the Quaker community, which to be honest, really sounded wonderful during this time period, before modern...more
Moving story about a Quaker family in Pennsylvania who becomes very involved in the Underground Railroad before and during the Civil War. But the story doesn't start or end there - gives insights into the Quaker life during the period, the strength of one woman, Ann Redfield, who keeps her family - and extended family - together during many many difficult times. Her devotion to her older brother involves her in the Railroad, which leads her to an innocent tryst with one of their rescues, which l...more
I haven't read a book this well written and powerful since The Help last year. I got this book for 99 cents on an Amazon daily deal and I'm so glad I chose it.
I loved the story of Ann and her brother Jesse and their work on the underground railroad. The book was well researched and very informative about the years leading up to the civil war.
This author had the ability to create suspense from seemingly nothing. Every time one of the siblings went on a "delivery" of slaves attempting freedom, I...more
I loved the story of Ann and her brother Jesse and their work on the underground railroad. The book was well researched and very informative about the years leading up to the civil war.
This author had the ability to create suspense from seemingly nothing. Every time one of the siblings went on a "delivery" of slaves attempting freedom, I...more
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This is more than a story of the underground railroad. It is the story of a lifetime in a Quaker family and a beautifully woven story, at that. It follows the life of the main character, Ann Redfield, in first person through her own and familial adventures, toil, terror, joy, love and laughter. I could tell that the historical setting of this book was researched meticulously and was not surprised at all to learn in the About the Author at the end that the author is a native of Pennsylvania and a...more
Redfield Farm is about a lot of things that I'm interested in: Quakers, the Underground Railroad, mixed-race children, etc. Also, it got good reviews. So I was excited to read it. However, the writing felt amateurish to me. The characters didn't grab me. And it always grates on me when an author describes someone as "skipping" down a lane. Really, who skips (except a young girl, and even then, very rarely). So I gave up. When you've got a Jane Smiley novel from the library, and it's just begging...more
This book was more like 3 1/2 stars for me. This story is centered in a small Quaker community in the time leading up to the civil war. The Redfield family is part of the underground railroad and the story takes you through their trials participating with the help of the slaves as well as family trials they endure. I thought the story line was exciting with constant new twists and turns however I felt the writing was a little choppy and there were a few things I questioned as to how correct they...more
Maybe actually a 3.5 star book for me. The story was interesting to see how lives were impacted by the underground railroad during the civil war - not just the fleeing slaves, but also the people helping them. Since this book focused specifically on Quaker families helping the escaping slaves it was a little different than others I have read about this era. It was interesting to see how the Quaker beliefs and faith gave people the impetus to help others. The book follows Ann amd her brother Jess...more
This was a good, solid expansive story of a close-knit Quaker family, who happens to be involved in the Underground Railroad. Although their involvement is a continuous thread, the book is more the saga of the Redfield family as told by Ann Redfield, one of six children born to Amos and Martha Redfield. It brings us through fifty-odd years of life in Pennsylvania beginning in the mid-1800's and the waxing and waning of the Redfield clan. It was, what I felt to be, an authentic telling of life du...more
Read as an Kindle e-book with good reviews. Would give 3.5 stars.
This story of a Quaker family/community opposed to slavery in the decades before the Civil War, provided wonderful insight into the functioning of the Underground Railroad and the brave souls who risked their lives to save runaway slaves. I hadn't realized that the Quakers were so instrumental to this effort. The characters were well-developed and the famales in particular we strong, admirable women. The book did a nice job of comb...more
This story of a Quaker family/community opposed to slavery in the decades before the Civil War, provided wonderful insight into the functioning of the Underground Railroad and the brave souls who risked their lives to save runaway slaves. I hadn't realized that the Quakers were so instrumental to this effort. The characters were well-developed and the famales in particular we strong, admirable women. The book did a nice job of comb...more
Very fast paced, the author still was able to keep me engaged in the plot despite the epic nature of the story and brought me to tears on more than one occasion. Told from the perspective of a Quaker family deeply involved in the Underground Railroad, it gives a rare glimpse into the plain lives of the Quakers and the stressful, unimaginable horrors those subjected to slavery were escaping.
My only complaint, if forced to make one, was the Author's occasional awkward phrasing and the tendency to...more
My only complaint, if forced to make one, was the Author's occasional awkward phrasing and the tendency to...more
This book was well written and plan to check out some of Judith Redline Coopey other historical novel books.This story provides insight into the underground railroad and those who risked their lives fighting the injustice of slavery in the mid-to-late 1800's. in the Redfield Farm the characters were well developed, the story started with information which peeked my interest and held it throughout the book. I found it hard to put down because I cared about the characters, what they were trying to...more
Historical fiction story about Ann Redfield and her family just before and during the Civil War. They are a large Quaker family, strongly against slavery. Ann is devoted to her older brother Jesse, and as he gets involved with the Underground Railroad and begins helping slaves escape from the pre-Civil War south, Ann soon becomes a part of his activities.
Interwoven are the stories of the nearby white-trash family's daughter Pru, the man Elias, who Ann expects to marry, and Josiah, the deathly...more
Interwoven are the stories of the nearby white-trash family's daughter Pru, the man Elias, who Ann expects to marry, and Josiah, the deathly...more
Reading Redfield Farm, I was immediately transported to that beautiful Pennsylvania farm,and into the lives of Ann Redfield and her family.A family of Quakers,the Redfields make every effort to live their faith.And this includes being a frequent way station on the Underground Railroad.Even among their close knit Quaker community,this activity is fraught with risk.
The tenets of the Quaker faith are equality,moderation,self-restraint and pacifism. And,as is the case with all religions, there is...more
The tenets of the Quaker faith are equality,moderation,self-restraint and pacifism. And,as is the case with all religions, there is...more
Redfield Farm is an historical fiction novel, the story of Ann Redfield, a young Quaker girl. Through her brother, Jesse, she becomes involved in the Underground Railroad in Bedford County, PA in the 1860s. Ann faces many challenges during this trying time in our Nation's history. The danger of helping escaped slaves, birth, death, and motherhood. The story flows easily, and the book has strong descriptions of the many other characters, and you will come to know and love them. Be prepared to not...more
Plenty of others have already summarized the storyline of the book so just a short opinion on this one. I loved it! It was another deal I got from Amazon and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was consdering the price. There were a few times that throughout the book that I may have got a bit bored but overall I found it very engaging. I loved the main character and admired her strength and courage during times of adversity. I look forward to reading more by this author.
This book is a true love story; a love between a brother and sister, love of family, love of religion, but mostly love of humanity. The depth in this book is incredible. The characters, so real. I was transported into time and enthralled in an amazing story. The author did such an amazing job in developing the characters that I feel there is room for sequels. I was satisfied with the ending, but I would definitely love to see other books follow - maybe one on women's rights? Hint hint Mrs. Coope...more
This book is about a Quaker family in Pennsylvania who helps with the Underground Railroad. The story is told by Ann, one of the sisters and chronicles the years leading up to the Civil War and the years during the Civil War. It was an interesting and enjoyable historical fiction and a quick read. The writing is nothing spectacular but it is good book that held my interest. I would suggest it to anyone who likes historical fiction and Civil War history. (3.5 Stars)
I read this book in one sitting...I was immediately drawn into the story and couldn't put it down until I finished it. I haven't read a book that hooked me so completely in quite some time...
This is the story of Ann and her family; simple Quaker people who are drawn into the midst of the underground railroad movement. The story is fast paced and keeps you turning pages as fast as your eyes can scan them.
Give it a read, you won't be disappointed.
This is the story of Ann and her family; simple Quaker people who are drawn into the midst of the underground railroad movement. The story is fast paced and keeps you turning pages as fast as your eyes can scan them.
Give it a read, you won't be disappointed.
Overall, this was a solid tale about an interesting era and topic. I would like to have seen the author try to cover fewer plot lines, and delve deeper into the characters and their feelings about the events that happen to them. There were so many people in the book that it was hard to do justice to them all. I liked that the author wraps up the book by telling the reader what happens to each main character.
A bittersweet tale that most readers will really enjoy.
A bittersweet tale that most readers will really enjoy.
Amazing! I finished reading earlier today, and I can't stop thinking about this book. It was a beautiful story of love, tragedy, family, and unbreakable bonds. This book painted a beautiful picture of the Quaker lifestyle and their important involvement in the underground railroad. I can not say enough about this book. It is a MUST READ!!! Amazingly this book was only 2.99 on the kindle!!! I would have paid top dollar!!!!!
I loved it! I love historical fiction. I find the Civil War era especially interesting in American history. I would like to have read more about the workings of the Underground Railroad itself but the sacrifice and the danger were made clear. Quakers were, and are, a subtle but powerful force in social justice. It is wonderful to read about people taking huge risks for others because it is the right thing to do.
I thought this book was excellent. It takes place during the civil war era and is primarily about the Quakers involvement with the underground railroad. The story centers around the Redfield family, with one of the sisters, Ann, as the main character and narrator. The author did a good job of writing about personal relationships with the Quaker family and the slaves that they helped rescue.
Interesting historical fiction about a Quaker family's involvement with their friends, neighbors, and the Underground Railroad. Kept me reading and I finished it in 2 days. The setting is nicely described and the characters are well developed. Not as deep or heavy as many of the books I like to read, this was a welcome break and an easier read, but still held my attention.
Not a lot of substance. Any descriptions of the underground railroad could have been taken out of middle school level history book...expected a much more researched representation. Background story was okay but I felt there were too many peripheral characters that got in the way. About 1/3 of the way through it started to slow down for me, though it did pick up I just wanted to get through it for book club.
This book is about a family of Quaker's who own a farm in Pennsylvania and help slaves from the South escape into Canada through the Underground Railroad. Quaker lifestyle and the Underground railroad, I admit to not knowing a lot about. This book was very good. Held my attention from beginning to end and wrapped things up very nicely at the end of the book. I highly recommend it.
Dec 30, 2012
Kristy
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012-end-of-the-world-challenge
This book tells the story of a Quaker family living in Pennsylvania during the mid 1800's and their participation in the Underground Railroad. It's a quick read and I will admit I learned a lot about the Quaker religion, but it was lacking something I can't quite put my finger on. I didn't get attached to any of the characters. It was still a halfway decent story.
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Sep 01, 2012 05:47pm