'Til All These Things Be Done

by Suzanne Moyers

Set against the rich but often troubled history of Blacklands, Texas, during an era of pandemic, scientific discovery, and social upheaval, the novel offers a unique--yet eerily familiar--backdrop to a universal tale of triumphing over loss.
Even as dementia clouds other memories, eighty-year-old Leola can't forget her father's disappearance when she was sixteen. Now, as Papa appears in haunting visions, Leola relives the circumstances of that loss: the terrible accident that steals Papa's livelihood, sending the family deeper into poverty; a scandal from Mama's past that still wounds; and Leola's growing unease with her brutally bigoted society.
When Papa vanishes while seeking work in Houston and Mama dies in the "boomerang" Influenza outbreak of 1919, Leola and her young sisters are sent to an orphanage, where her exposure of a dark injustice means sacrificing a vital clue to Papa's whereabouts. That decision echoes into the future, as new details about his disappearance suggest betrayal too painful to contemplate. Only in old age, as her visions of Papa grow more realistic, does Leola confront her long-buried grief, leading to a remarkable discovery about her family--and, maybe, a chance for forgiveness.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction

392 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2022

About the author

Suzanne Moyers, a former teacher, was an education editor and writer for over 20 years. A lifelong history geek, Suzanne spends her free time as a volunteer archeologist, mudlarker, and metal detectorist.  Suzanne is the proud mom to two amazing young adults, Sara and Jassi, and resides in the greater New York City area with her husband, Edward, and spoiled fur baby, Tuxi.
‘Til All These Things Be Done, which is based on a real life family mystery, is her first novel.

Reviews

[Patricia Grayhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Til All Things Be Done, a novel based on a story started over 100 years ago in a small rural community in Texas, deals with issues of racism, small-minded views of who is an American, sexism, misogyny and sexual exploitation by men in positions of power—issues still plaguing us today, particularly in Texas. Suzanne Moyers extensively researched historical novel, full of authentic local dialogue and sensory detail that immerses us into the early 20th century world of the protagonist, 16-year-old Leola as she confronts father’s tragic accident, poverty, her father’s mysterious disappearance, and personal losses during the ravages of the 1919 influenza epidemic in east Texas. Moyers keeps us riveted to the twists and turns of Leola’s life as she confronts brutal bigotry and sexual exploitation and the haunting mystery and deep pain of her father’s disappearance but forges ahead with her dreams. Yet, as is also true today, there are people that resist destructive local norms and stand up to societies injustices, mitigating her pain with love and friendship. The tension builds throughout this braided narrative to a satisfying conclusion, As the narrator so apply notes: “…as for the wishing…that was nothing more than wanting one thing then finding equal, sometimes greater, beauty in what you got. The real magic, it seemed, came from accepting that people, broken as they are, always deserve a second—or third or fourth—chance. That in the end, it isn’t our sins that matter but our love.” So true, and Moyers illustrates this masterfully in this engaging, well-written historical novel. A great read that kept me engaged and glued to my chair until the end.

[Mickey Revenaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lushly researched, with prose that sings, 'TIL ALL THESE THINGS BE DONE plunges us into the hardscrabble reality - tinged with beauty and wonder, but harsh as hell - of rural East Texas in 1918-1921. Leola's family isn't at the very bottom of this savagely stratified world: They are white, and somewhat educated (dad is a schoolteacher who moonlights in the sawmill), but their precarious hold on economic security is chipped away through accidents, illness, and plain bad luck. Thus bright, ambitious Leola practices the scientific names of flora and fauna as she picks cotton for a few cents a sack, and dreams of going to college one day.

Leola's path forward is rocky and tragic, buoyed by sisterly devotion, a star-crossed love, and an unexpected benefactor. Her Dickensian obstacle course is of a uniquely American, early 20th century variety, shaped by social upheavals around race, immigration, and women's suffrage, with the flu epidemic and rise of the Klan thrown in for good measure. Author Suzanne Moyers' deft touch in weaving together all these strands is remarkable - we never lose sight of Leola's singular driving spirit, her sharp resourcefulness (she knows to haul a kid bitten by a deadly "pack saddle” in the cotton fields to the town's Black healer, damn the consequences), and her essential girlishness - after all, her one true love grows roses.

The East Texas core of 'TIL ALL THESE THINGS BE DONE is book-ended by scenes of a much older Leola struggling with dementia at her daughter's home in suburban New Jersey in the 1980s. If at first this shuffling of time seems awkward, have faith: The device more than serves its purpose in the final chapters of the book.

A compelling and evocative read throughout!

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not want this story to end, it was so good! This novel follows the story of Leola, a sixteen year old who is forced to grow up fast after her mother dies from the 1918 Influenza pandemic and her father heads off to find work, but never returns for them. Forcing Leola to raise her two younger sisters, she has to make many decisions any girl her age should not have to. Her grandfather is not much help and seems he cannot wait to get rid of the girls, so off they go to an orphanage. Leola does her best to continue to mother the two girls, but is glad to have a bit of a reprieve and act of her age with the other girls once in a while. But not a day goes by that she does not wonder what happened to her father and where he might be. Any day now he could show up to claim them again, but with each passing day also brings about the reality that he probably really is not going to come back for them, or he may no longer be alive, maybe the flu got him as well. I really loved these characters and this storyline. Thank you to BookSparks and the author for the free novel. This was a great historical read!

[Jacinda S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This honestly might be a 5 star …

It kept my interest as the storyline moved along. So many things I wanted to know how they turned out. One thing I liked is that everything wasn’t just tied up neatly in a bow. It made it that much more realistic.

It intrigued me; made me smile, made me extremely mad & disgusted, made me sad, made me feel sentimental for Leola, made me frustrated, and made me happy. All in all, one I recommend!

[Suanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in East Texas in the second decade of the 1900s, this novel depicts the events of the era (racial discrimination, discrimination against Catholics and foreigners, the 1918 and 1919 flu pandemics, poverty, the Ku Klux Klan, white supremacy, and social upheaval) as they touch the life of teenager Leola Rideout.

Born into poverty which was worsened when her father lost his right arm in an industrial accident, Leola starts work early as a cotton picker. Having picked cotton for an uncle back in the 1960s, I can attest to the misery of that job. In her free time, Leola studies, hoping to go to college and become a science teacher. Her dreams are interrupted when her father leaves for Houston to find a clerical job and her mother dies of influenza. Leola works to keep her two sisters with her, but her grandfather sends them off to an orphanage.
The novel spans eight decades and begins and ends with Leola having visions of her father. Even as dementia robs her of memories, she can’t let go of the loss of her father, who disappears in Houston, never to be seen again.

This book is great women’s fiction, showing Leola’s independent streak and budding feminism. Leola’s voice is pure Texan. My grandmother was born and raised in East Texas, and she and Leola share the vocabulary of the time and place. I enjoyed reading words I haven’t heard for decades.

[Vinessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing work of historical fiction with eerie parallels to present-day, ’Til All These Things Be Done follows sixteen-year-old Leola Rideout--a heroine for the ages--as she fights to keep her family together and find her missing Papa in a 1919 East Texas ravished by poverty, influenza and bigotry.
After an early glimpse of an elderly, Alzheimer’s-stricken Leola intoning “What happened to Papa?”, we are eager for the young Leola to find answers and rooting for Papa to turn up as Leola faces each new horror while trying to hold on to hope for a better future. Her quest becomes one of forgiveness, a wholly relatable and timeless endeavor, one that requires “some untangling of the why’s and wherefores” before she can achieve it.
Suzanne Moyers’ lush prose engages all the senses to invoke the setting and time period and every scene reads as a fully-formed reality. Leola’s spunk and intelligence shine without ever seeming overdone for the limitations of the time, and the secondary characters, particularly Ruthie and Joe, bring a touch of humor and levity to Leola’s plight. Immersive, intriguing and impeccably researched, ’Til All These Things Be Done is well worth the read even if historical fiction is not usually your thing.

[Debra Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moyers grasped this reader’s hands and deftly led me into Leola’s world through her evocative depiction of Texas twang, her tactile images of cotton picking and whittling, and her generous placement of the scents, tastes, and sounds of southern cooking. The novel poetically tells the story of a life of challenges, love, and loss seen through the eyes of the woman who lived it and the girl she once was. Brought up in post WWI Texas, when people of color were blatantly denied the same privileges as whites, Leola struggles with the daily indignities she witnesses. Though she is spared these humiliations, her color can’t save her from the happenstance illness and trauma her family experiences that catapult her into years of grief. It is only through Leola’s resilient spirit and ingenuity that she rallies and finds room for understanding and forgiveness. This beautifully written novel pulls at your heart strings and is a must read.

[Eileen Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Til All These Things Be Done is a timeless, ageless, universal family story crafted by debut author Suzanne Moyers. Leola Rideout stayed with me for days after I put her story down. There are many layers to this emotional and riveting novel. Her story unfolds in the midst of a pandemic and social injustice familiar to the reader in today’s world, yet it starts in 1918. The details of setting and dialogue reveal a well-researched piece of historical fiction. This tender love story is entwined in a family mystery that haunts Leola to the end. ‘Til All These Things Be Done challenges the reader to wonder, if put into the same situation that they could be as brave, loyal and determined as Leola. Highly recommended for your bookshelf.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating history that is peppered with all the challenges America faces today---racial divides, discrimination against immigrants, pandemics, poverty, and the consequences for the children that must cope. I was not going to put this book down until I knew what happened to Leola's Dad, disabled from an accident at the sawmill. This family saga spans eight decades and the chapters headed with dates and places help keep the reader on track.
As we hear the news and broad statistics, stories like this remind us that there are real people especially children who need a caring community, behind all those numbers. This is a book that will grab your heart.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, it is a book group selection, but I found the story engrossing and often sad. Leola is the oldest daughter in a poor family in eastern Texas in 1918. Her parents are educated but struggling. Her father leaves for Houston for work and disappears and then her mother dies of influenza. She tries to take care of her two younger sisters, but her grandfather eventually sends them to an orphanage. Eventually, she and her sisters are fostered by a local couple and her life is a little easier. She is haunted by the loss of her father throughout her life.

The book is based on the true story of the author's grandmother, but the ending is her own solution to the events.
The writing is good and the story moves along.

[Bri]

This was a good book, but I kept waiting for something big to happen. It was too slow of a read for my preference, but there wasn't anything wrong with the book.

[Marcia Adirim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne Moyers’ debut novel transports readers into a time and place they may not be familiar with. Family secrets intertwine with the harsh realities of life in East Texas in the early 1900s (a raging pandemic, overt racism, financial hardships, sexual predators), leading this reader to ponder just how much life has—and hasn’t—changed in the years since. Unlike typical historical heroines, Leola Rideout, the main character in ‘Til All These Things Be Done, doesn’t accomplish anything the world would consider extraordinary. But this doesn’t make her story any less gripping; in fact, it’s part of what makes this book so important. Suzanne Moyers gives voice to a whole generation without a voice—economically depressed families, suppressed people of color, sharecroppers, immigrants, vulnerable women—ordinary people who faced overwhelming odds and whose stories have too long gone untold. For all the heartache the characters experience, however, there is still hope. They survive and even overcome their circumstances, and so, we pray, will we. Others have spoken about Moyer's gift for language and description (her talents are undeniable!), but what struck me even more was how REAL the characters all seemed. Leola is still on my mind weeks after I finished reading this book. Highly recommend!

[Dana K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leola is a hard working woman with dreams in the 1910's living in East Texas. Her family are surviving until her father loses his arm in a work accident. His ability to provide for and support his family disappears and his mental health suffers. He gets an opportunity to work in Houston and he leaves the girls hoping he can get established and send for them. Leola never sees him again. When her mother dies of fever, she and her sisters are forced into an orphanage. We know she survives because alternating chapters are of her late years, living with her daughter, still trying to cope with the disappearance of her father.

In this story, we get not only a slice of rarely described history but an understanding of the role of women and racial relations in the time. Leola faces the KKK, an abusive orphanage manager, illness, challenges in socioeconomic status and life in a biracial relationship. Through it all Leola is hopeful and principled and often challenges her own thinking and preconceived notions. I was rooting for her and her family the whole way. This is a lovely piece of historical fiction, that we learn has some basis in the author's own family history. 

Thanks to Booksparks for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.

[Kelley Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, compelling story - this is a winner. Plus there are biscuits!

[Loretta Runyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this read. We follow the life of Leola and her siblings as she remembers through her blurred memory.

Life is good until her papa loses his arm in a saw mill accident. He eventually heads to Houston to find work, never again returning to the land they rented from his less than friendly father in law.

Once Leola loses her mother to the flu epidemic, she now becomes head of the house. But not for long as her grandfather sends her and her sisters off to an orphanage. There, she finds herself in an uncomfortable situation, uncovering an even worse situation.

I read this book in a few sittings as it kept my interest peaked. Late to review due to lack of internet service.

[Harvey Araton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best historical fiction not only describes, it makes you feel, almost inhale period and place. Suzanne Moyers's 'Til All These Things Be Done does that and more by transporting readers back a century to rural eastern Texas, in a country familiarly plagued by pandemic, class division and racial strife. Through the book's heroine, Leola Rideout, and her tragedy stricken family, we experience the devastating consequences of poverty juxtaposed with the triumph of the human spirit. I'm a notoriously slow, distracted reader but I finished Moyers's book in a few sittings. It's a page-turner because it is a compelling, well-written tale that keeps you in suspense for the ending.

[Adele Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Historical facts mirror the atrocities of today's world as Leola Rideout picks the threads of her life out of an anamnestic memory--deftly telling us the story as she goes. The reader is drawn into Leola's past tenderly, heartbreakingly, and with a twist along the way. Read for yourself Suzanne Meyers's storytelling magic; it will not soon leave you.

[R Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book. It tells the story of white poverty in eastern Texas shortly after Jim Crow laws were put in place. While there is blatant discrimination against non whites in a class riven society, there is grating poverty with all the attendant social problems this may cause. Martin Luther king among others stated that Jim Crow laws were established to keep poor whites in their place as much as to disenfranchise black people. There is a happy ending, but only after awful tragedy as well. Thoroughly recommended

[Susen Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne Moyers's beautifully crafted prose and dialogue take readers on a journey to rural Texas in the early years of the twentieth century. Through her protagonist, Leola, we relive the tragedy of the Spanish flu, poverty, racial and ethnic hatred, and the bonds that hold a family together. Moyers's characters are authentic and relatable, the story is timeless, and the connection to present-day prejudice is all too real.

[Esther Erman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This warm and engrossing story casts light on the lives of people in Texas and the South during the early part of the twentieth century—the hardships and cruelties that were part of everyday existence. This is also the story of family ties and of the connections, made or missed, that shape lives. Meticulously researched and gracefully written, this is a wonderful read.

[Amy Strickler · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘Till All These Things Be Done” is an engrossing read that transports you to Texas in the early 1900s. The characters are well developed and engaging. Important historical events and circumstances are contextualized such the Spanish flu of 1918 and conditions within child welfare services. I am not usually a fan of historical fiction but this book really grabbed me!

[Linda Surritte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book didn't pull me in to the story like some others.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review…'Til All These Things Be Done by Suzanne Moyers

Even as dementia clouds other memories, eighty year old Leola can't forget her father's disappearance. Now, as Papa appears in haunting visions, Leola relives that loss. As her visions of Papa grow more realistic, does Leola confront her long buried grief, leading to a remarkable discovery about her family and, maybe, a chance for forgiveness.

'Til All These Things Be Done is a well-written historical novel about life, love, loss and forgiveness. The story is set in a small rural community in Texas in the early 1900s and the timeline moves between the past and present. I really enjoyed Leola's character! She's strong, independent and determined! The descriptions were amazing! The language, the sounds, the scents, and man the cooking it was so easy to feel like I was right there experiencing it! I finished the book in only a few sittings. It was so easy to get lost in the world Suzanne Moyers created! It's a heartfelt and compelling read! Thank you Book Sparks and Suzanne Moyers for sharing this book with me!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leola Rideout is a heroine to root for. Growing up in East Texas in 1919, sixteen-year-old Leola has loving parents, two younger sisters, a boyfriend and best friend, and she doesn’t mind picking cotton to help make ends meet. Secure in her world, she has the courage to defend those she cares about against the petty injustices of the local Klan and their supporters. But a terrible accident sends Leola’s family spiraling deeper into poverty, and while her father is away seeking work in Houston her mother dies of influenza. Sent to an orphanage by her grandfather, Leola struggles to be a mother to her traumatized sisters and tries to imagine a more secure future for them all. But will her passion for justice or her love for her family win out when she’s faced with a choice? Suzanne Moyers skillfully evokes time and place and the precarious nature of home with believable characters and authentic details that remind us of our common humanity.

[Reeca Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leola is a young girl when her father has a tragic accident and loses his arm. Life changes immensely for her. Her father leaves to go to Houston to find a job then disappears, then her mother dies. She and her sisters are placed in an orphanage and Leola struggles overcome what life has thrown at her.

This story is full of loss, family secrets and strength of will. Leola is a character in which you root for incessantly. And life just keeps crashing down on her but her strength roars through these pages and she never gives up hope!

I could not help but be captivated by all the tragedy and the life situations surrounding this family. This novel had me crying and wanting to come through the pages and protect everyone involved!

Need a book which will have you thinking about it long after it is over…THIS IS IT ! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[Suzanne Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenager Leola Rideout is a heroine for any age—loving, devoted to her family, unafraid of hard work, and opposed to prejudice. When her father disappears and her mother dies, she and her younger siblings are placed in an orphanage. Author Suzanne Moyers convincingly depicts the precarious nature of life in early 20th century Texas and uses a vernacular from the time and place that gives her story authenticity and draws the reader into that world. The desire for a security that was shattered when she was young follows Leola into a dementia-riddled eighth decade where she finally finds a long-sought resolution. An appealing story of love and family ties, of how we are shaped by loss, and a tale of resilience.

[Chris Witkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather odd novel, in that it is all over the place as far as themes go. It is a 1919 pandemic story, an orphan story, an anti-KKK story, a coming of age story, and a sweet romance. Leola, aged 16, and her two young sisters, lose their mother in the flu pandemic if 1919, shortly after their father disappears after leaving home to find a better job in the hopes of bringing his family back together. The novel takes place over the next 70 or so years, recounting Leola’s efforts to find her father. This longing and ache permeates her whole life but ultimately she finds some answers and comfort. An understated but satisfying read.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book because the story happens in Texas. A young girl has to grow up quickly when the mother is no longer in the picture. Racism, abuse, neglect, relationships, and about anything that is going on today was then as well. This was a slow read, but I read the book while working out and it was innteresting enough that I did not realize how much time had passed. This book is based on actual events.

[Teresa Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rich story about family, loss, love, resilience, and in the end, forgiveness. Young Leola must try to keep her family together after her mother's death, while hoping for the return of her beloved father. Well researched, depicting the hardships, racism and prejudices of the era, and beautifully told with delightful detail, Leola's story will capture your heart.

[CR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful coming of age story set in the early 1900s of Texas. It was a look at how one girl struggles with poverty, loss, and betrayal. I felt very drawn to the story and each page took me deeper into the story. This was a very deep story that I felt very immersed in it.