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What Members Thought

Jean-Marie
I picked up this paperback at a Scholastic Warehouse sale last year. The only thing I knew about the book was that it was an Oprah-endorsed book club favorite a couple of years ago. I now understand the praise. I was most impressed by how the author was able to weave a realistic tale based on realistic facts about abolitionist and member of the the women's suffrage movement Sarah Grimke. It's an excellent read and book club selection. ...more
Shannon Wallner
Jun 08, 2014 rated it really liked it
I love a book that carries me away to another time and place. Block out a weekend and curl up with this gem!
Rachel N.
Nov 17, 2014 rated it liked it
Historical fiction which tells the stories of Sarah Grimke, who was a real abolitionist and feminist, and her slave Handful. the story is told in alternating chapters from Sarah and Handful. I found the story interesting at the beginning when the two were kids. After they grow up and Sarah moves to Philadelphia the story lost some of its focus for me. I had never heard of Sarah and her sister Angelina before and I would like to read a nonfiction book about them. I listened to the audiobook and l ...more
Jen Pratt
May 28, 2021 rated it it was amazing
This is a beautiful, tragic, and inspiring book. It goes back and forth between the story of Sarah Grimke, a real-life woman who was born to a wealthy judge and plantation owner and grew up to be one of the first and most famous female abolitionists and supporter of women’s rights. The other main character is Handful, a slave on the Grimke plantation. The treatment of the slaves is heartbreaking and even the squashing of Sarah’s aspirations is sad. I am grateful for women like Sarah who helped p ...more
Laura (booksnob)
Aug 13, 2014 rated it it was amazing
Amazing, well-written historical novel about the Grimke sisters. I learned so much and I hope one of my students does a history day project on them.
Rebekah
This is a good book and the real-life Grimke sisters are fascinating historical women that more should be written about. However, I feel like the author tried to bite off more than she could chew with this particular tale. Too many characters over too long a timespan. It felt flat and like a Lifetime movie too often and I just wanted it to end.
grace
Sep 08, 2014 rated it really liked it
Christy
Sep 10, 2014 marked it as to-read
Kat
Sep 16, 2014 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: 2014
Lisa
Oct 03, 2014 rated it it was amazing
Jen
Mar 09, 2015 rated it liked it
Shelves: book-club
Megan
Mar 30, 2015 marked it as to-read
Karyl
Apr 09, 2015 marked it as to-read
Ellen
Jul 09, 2015 rated it it was amazing
Felicia follum
Sep 22, 2015 marked it as to-read
Jenna
Oct 14, 2015 marked it as to-read
Shelves: library
Tanya
Feb 23, 2016 marked it as to-read
Sara
May 11, 2017 marked it as to-read
Anika
May 22, 2017 marked it as to-read
Paula Hiatt
Jun 05, 2017 rated it really liked it
Stephanie
Jun 18, 2018 rated it it was amazing
Brenda
Jul 25, 2018 marked it as to-read
Carolyn
Aug 28, 2018 marked it as to-read
Michelle
Nov 23, 2019 marked it as to-read
Shelves: home-library
Kristin
Oct 25, 2020 rated it really liked it
Shanna
Apr 19, 2021 rated it really liked it
Wanda
Feb 07, 2022 marked it as to-read