From the Bookshelf of Bound Together…

The Tobacco Wives

Adele Myers

Start date: July 1, 2022

Finish date: July 31, 2022

Why we're reading this: July Member's Choice
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What Members Thought

Mar 01, 2022 DeAnn rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2022, netgalley-2022

4 Summer of reckoning stars

This was a stunning debut novel that I thoroughly enjoyed! Southern fiction tends to be a winner for me, and this fit the bill! Set in the late 1940s when tobacco was king in North Carolina and the Tobacco Wives ruled the town!

Maddie is a young aspiring seamstress. She’s spending the summer with her aunt in Bright Leaf, surprise Aunt Etta! It isn’t the best timing as Etta is in crunch mode with getting all the gowns ready for the upcoming gala.

Maddie is a quick study t ...more

63 likes · Like · see review

Oct 14, 2022 ♥ Sandi ❣ rated it really liked it

Shelves: debut, southern-lit, family, historical-history, z2022-3500-books, social-issues

4 stars

I was not going to give this a 4 star rating - but something much less. That was not because I felt the author did a bad job or that the writing was not good - because as far as the author and writing I very much liked the book. My reason for a lower rating was because of the money grubbing bastards in the tobacco industry. However the author brought out such a strong reaction in me about this drug trade that I felt even though I had a negative reaction, she was due a good rating. Therefo 4 stars

I was not going to give this a 4 star rating - but something much less. That was not because I felt the author did a bad job or that the writing was not good - because as far as the author and writing I very much liked the book. My reason for a lower rating was because of the money grubbing bastards in the tobacco industry. However the author brought out such a strong reaction in me about this drug trade that I felt even though I had a negative reaction, she was due a good rating. Therefore a 4 star book.

The story of a young girl, raised by a narcissistic mother, who dumps her on her aunt. From prior years of visits Maddie had picked up the craft of her aunts sewing. Luckily she had, for when the aunt becomes ill Maddie must carry on the tradition of making the gowns for the elite women in town - the Tobacco Wives. As the story progresses, we learn that cigarette executives and stupid doctors are pushing the addiction of cigarettes to line their pockets, all the time knowing that cigarettes are bad for the health of people.

Most of this story takes place in the 1940's and the addiction of cigarettes as a health problem is known by few but not shared with the public. The story ends in the 1990's, just as changes are taking place.

This story riled me up. I put up with my parents smoking for twenty years, unable to get away from it and hating every minute of it. They believed the vile, foul lies told by cigarette companies. I hated being unable to eat a nice meal in public without the next booth or table "lighting up". I am so happy that we have had changes that will allow my grandchildren to be free of inhaling second hand smoke. I also mourn the hundreds of thousands of people addicted to this filthy habit. The lives lost to sickness and death due to their addiction. To say nothing of the expense - and where that money could have easily made a greater difference.

So even though my reaction to this story was as effusive as it was, I think the author deserves the 4 star rating for making me feel as I did. ...more

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Mar 04, 2022 Donna rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical-fiction

I had likes and dislikes with this Historical Fiction novel. First I will mention I liked the details when it came to the characters. The relationships and the intricacies that were tangled around that were the most interesting parts. I wish more could have been done there making them the highlight and not the tobacco controversy.

When it came to the tobacco industry in the heart of North Carolina after WWII, honestly, that bit felt contrived and a little gimmicky. It felt as if modern day attit ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 26, 2022 Kathy rated it it was ok

Shelves: meh-not-worth-the-time, debut-novel

I can't bring myself to call this historical fiction as the author rearranged historical events, by her own admission, to suit her storyline. I can say that this would be better classified as YA fiction as the story-telling is sophomoric. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review