Before We Were Yours: A Novel

"Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate is a poignant journey through one of the darker corridors of American history, woven into a compelling narrative that captures the essence of hope and survival against all odds. This novel, set against the backdrop of the 1939 Memphis scandal involving the Tennessee Children's Home Society, not only sheds light on a grievous chapter in history but does so through the powerfully drawn lives of its characters.Lisa Wingate's narrative technique seamlessly alternates between the past and the present, telling the story from two perspectives: the historical plight of the Foss children and the contemporary quest for truth by Avery Stafford. This dual storyline enriches the narrative, offering a layered exploration of family, identity, and the impact of secrets carried through generations.The characters are exquisitely crafted, with Rill Foss standing out as a memorable protagonist whose resilience and protective instincts make her tale heartbreakingly compelling. The modern-day storyline featuring Avery adds a layer of investigative intrigue and connects the past to the present, making the reader ponder the long-lasting effects of familial bonds and decisions made under duress.The emotional depth of "Before We Were Yours" is its strongest suit, meticulously capturing the pain, betrayal, and eventual healing of the characters involved. Wingate's respectful approach to the historical elements and her skillful weaving of fiction and fact ensure the novel is both educational and engrossing.However, readers should be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster this book presents. The harrowing experiences of the children are difficult to read but essential for understanding the depth of their courage and the strength of their hope.Lisa Wingate's "Before We Were Yours" is a must-read for those who appreciate historical fiction that speaks to the heart as well as the mind. Its beautifully tragic narrative and strong emotional core make it a memorable addition to the genre, worthy of its critical acclaim and the extensive readership it has garnered.

Before We Were Yours is based on true events, but is a work of fiction. I had never read anything by Lisa Wingate before, so didn’t know what to expect, but the book had good reviews and I enjoy good historical fiction. One of my criteria for reading a book is that I have to be hooked on the first page. This book does not disappoint. It’s the kind of writing that actually makes you read faster so you can find out what happens. Excellent character development and beautiful writing that makes the reader feel like they’re there watching it all take place. 5 stars and a new favorite author for me!

SUCH A BENEFICIAL READ! Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate offered a very real depiction of the infamous Tennessee Children’s Home Society. Within this historical fiction, the terror these children endured in real life is brought to life and shown within a much larger context.This novel is the perfect Young Adult read and engroses its reader in the mysterious tale. With the story being told through multiple points of view, it leaves you constantly on the edge of your seat and ready to solve the puzzle. Although you can see where the tale is headed by midpoint in the book, you won’t know for sure until the end. This alone makes the book hard to put down. The idea behind the book is a true story, making it ideal for those interested in true crime and survivor stories.In conjunction with the main story, the personal backgrounds for the characters makes the story more complex and lends itself to the ability to be believed as a true story. The small details included by Wingate make the novel easy to understand, yet enticing. While this book is a New York Times Bestseller, and that often discourages me from reading, I actually believe this novel deserves the title, as it does justice to the true stories of child trafficking in the 50s.Oftentimes I find it difficult to follow along in books that are not only told from multiple perspectives, but also multiple time periods. However, the flow of this novel was very smooth and effortlessly alternated between narrators. If you are interested in this format of fiction but are unsure where to start, I think that this book is the place to begin.On top of the amazing writing style, the characters were easy to relate to. Avery’s hectic lifestyle and longing for truth make it impossible not to fall in love with the character. Additionally, the sympathy you feel for Rill is immaculate and makes having empathy for fictional characters easy to understand. The three leading women in the novel have such a strong connection to one another in the end of the novel, and makes the 300+ pages fly by.

Great multi-generational story . Different time lines but easy to follow. Very in-depth story on some of the things that went on with adoption agencies when children were brought and sold. Depth of family love and loving care of the elderly. Positive ending!

This book came up as a recommendation for me and as soon as I saw it was about Georgia Tann, I grabbed it. My mother-in-law was one of Georgia's infant adoptees. She was adopted by a California movie star. This is the second book about Georgia that I've read. The first was a factual book, so this covered the other side of the story...told by the children who had to endure her cruelty and abuse. It's a dual time line with the modern day woman trying to find out the history told in the other timeline. A nice mystery and I loved the ending. Personally, I think it was well written and I plan to look for other books by Lisa Windgate.

What a heart wrenching story! It’s beautiful in its sadness. I wish they could have answered more of my questions.

Beautiful yet eye opening on our past history.

There was nothing I didn't like about this book! It is one of the best I've ever read. I could not put it down, reading into the wee hours 2 nights to finish in less than 3 days. Love the way Wingate takes us seamlessly back and forth in time, with the characters coming alive more and more on each page. Sadly 5 stars are just not enough!

As with other historical fiction, the truth behind this story is startling and something we should be aware of and give thought too. Wingate has succeeded in giving us a book that allows for this to happen !

Una lectura increible y muy interesante, que te hace pensar en el por que de los acontesimientos ocurridos. Muy recomendable

Brilliant writing. Fadt paced & based on a true story. Highly recommended

After such a long time, I have come across a book I couldn’t put down! And it is so beautifully written and heartbreaking, to imagine the horror of the situation and the children’s plight. This is a book that’ll shake you, but also make you fall in love with it, with each of the carefully drawn characters. One of my best reads in what I feel has been ages!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a well told story with relevant historical facts. Would definitively recommend this book!