Before We Were Yours: A Novel
Written by Lisa Wingate
Narrated by Emily Rankin and Catherine Taber
5/5
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Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this audiobook
Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.
Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family's long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.
Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.
*Library Journal
Praise for Before We Were Yours
“One of the year’s best books . . . It is impossible not to get swept up in this near-perfect novel.”—The Huffington Post
“A [story] of a family lost and found . . . a poignant, engrossing tale about sibling love and the toll of secrets.”—People
“Sure to be one of the most compelling books you pick up this year. . . . Wingate is a master-storyteller, and you’ll find yourself pulled along as she reveals the wake of terror and heartache that is Georgia Tann’s legacy.”—Parade
“Lisa Wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nation’s history and weaves a tale of enduring power.”—Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of Circling the Sun
Lisa Wingate
Lisa Wingate is an award-winning journalist, a magazine columnist, a popular inspirational speaker, and a national bestselling author of nineteen books. Her works have been featured by the Readers Club of America, AOL Book Picks, Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild, and American Profiles, and they have received numerous awards. She resides with her family in Texas.
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Reviews for Before We Were Yours
373 ratings29 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5While working for child protective services in the early 1990s, I seen a lot of stolen children. Children sold and used for the heavy-handed state's desires. I was there when the adoption laws changed. A good thing for families to find each other.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely riveting. A must-read for everyone! The author outdid herself!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Compelling narrative based on fictionalized historical truths. A story well told.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing. A MUST read or listen!!! Heart touching story. Very well written.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is such a well written story, a tragic one, but one that leaves you wanting more. Loved it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Awful real story. I can’t believe that all this happens not so long ago. But beautiful writing. Love it!!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5So well written, just couldn’t put it down and the narration was superb!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5“You have to dance to the music of the day”. Wonderful book!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved the detailed story line and the love the Foss family had for each other. This heart wrenching story was so nicely told.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing book about a sad situation that makes you cry.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What a powerful, well written story. So glad I read it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is incredible and heartbreaking. I loved it all.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautiful, heartbreaking story. Great writing. Surprised to hear some truth about adoption in the 1920s-1950s.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautifully written. Story was capturing and had me hooked throughout.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Incredible story! I loved it and highly recommend reading it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I loved their need to never give up on what was important to them and of course how they were united. It’s also so informative to those who aren’t aware of what children went through and how cruel the people in charge were.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Truly incredible. I honestly can’t do it justice...you need to read it for yourself.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Such a heart wrenching story and to think some of this really happened! Georgia Tann was Ann evil woman. But she had to have some sort of charm to do what she did. There will be a special place in hell for her.
I couldn’t put this book down I do audiobooks and listened to it in 2 days! The way the stories intertwined with each other was seamless. I cried, I cheered and laughed throughout the book. I will be looking into more about this story for sure. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent book! Engaging and compelling, very well written. I learned about an aspect of cultural history I was unaware of before. Well worth my time.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was incredible. It kept me engaged and I couldn’t put it down. The Note from the Author at the end is essential to listen to. This story must be shared. For the children and their mothers.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Truth-based fictional tale of lives forever changed by Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. So many layers to this beautiful story of love and family and the wandering paths that make us (if they don’t break us). Have tissues near!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing, griping, and wonderful story of all emotions. This book lets us remember how love can intertwine through generations and how we don’t have true control of our lives and the paths that we take.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5AMAZING BOOK!!! Couldn’t stop listening to this book!!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Everything - it was a page turner- could not put it down!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very captivating and enjoyable. Great read! Couldn't put it down.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I learned a lot. Excellent read the characters came alive to me.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I was captivated the entire time. Amazing story, wonderful narration!
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mesmerizing and heartbreaking. I couldn’t put it down.
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book will completely hook you! I loved this book and I learned a lot about the reality behind the inspiration for this book. The voices are done very well in the read- worth a listen!
3 people found this helpful