Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee ~ Review

My Review: 

Duel timelines tell a heartfelt tale of forgiveness and faith, against the backdrop of a segregated South during the Great Depression. 

Lorena Leland's world is upended by the stock market crash of 1929, and her privileged life begins to slowly unravel. Her dreams of becoming a famous writer suddenly put on the backburner. While her mother works to make ends meet, she takes a job with the WPA's Federal Writer's Project, interviewing former slaves about their experiences before and during the Civil War. There on assignment she meets Frankie Washington, a former slave over 100 years old, with a wealth of experiences and a powerful story to tell.

I loved every minute of this book, how it flowed easily between Rena's present day and Frankie's past, weaving a story of faith and forgiveness in the lives of two women. I liked how Rena was challenged by the project, how despite the fact that she had her own struggles and her life was far from perfect, it made her look outside of her own problems to the situations of others, making her take a closer look at her own life and beliefs. 

This is a gripping read, and I didn't want to put it down, the characters were so well developed, they felt relatable and authentic. I loved how the characters were shown, and how just as much was said by what they didn't do, as by what they did. Captivating and poignant, this is a book that I didn't want to put down, and easily had me riveted to the page. I admired Frankie so much for her courage and bravery, as well as her honesty when recounting the things that she had lived through, as well as her hope. A satisfying read, memorable and full of faith. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.