Shelly's Book Journal

In many ways a wonderful novel of historical fiction. Lavina and Belle tell the story - first of Lavina's entrance to the Tall Oaks farm as an indentured servant, her parents dying on the way over, she joins the slaves in the kitchen house - including Belle, who is actually the daughter of the Master - and lived like a daughter in the big house for a number of years. There are many tragic stories in the book, indicative of what slavery did - it twisted the lives of people. It gave power to some and took power away from others. It drew lines and when people crossed over the lines, it created conflict. Justice and truth were put aside to societal standards. The book portrayed it wellThere were things I didn't like about it. Did I miss it? but I had no idea they were in Virginia, what the true setting and time was. It was only upon mention of other things later in the book, that I realized it took place in southern Virginia in the post revolutionary war era. My other problem was the ending. I think parts of the book are very detailed and the action is really slow, but at the end near the climactic part, she seemed to rush through it all, trying to finish it. I feel like she should have written a separate prolog to the whole thing, more deliberate and detailed. Overall a good read and a great story.