Journal Entry 1 by JuneBug31 from Omemee, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, September 23, 2003

I can't believe I've been reading this book for a month!! With my busy work schedule I don't have the time to read as quickly or as often as I'd like. However, this was a great read. From the dust jacket:

"This novel tells the life story of Adelaide Shadd, who was born in southwestern Ontario in the first decade of the 20th century in an all-black town settled by fugitive slaves. She's forced to flee her beloved Rusholme as a teenager but the place will call to her for the rest of her life. After a brief sojourn in Detroit, Addy settles in Chatham, where she finds love and home and family. Tragedy strikes, more than once, but Addy Shadd endures.

Now an old woman, she lives a quiet existence in a trailer park not far from her birthplace. Her whole world is turned upside down when five year old Sharla Cody is abandoned on her doorstep. Addy is not sure she's up to the job of mothering the little girl, but she takes the wilful, curious child into her home. Sharla helps Addy open a door to her past - to memories of the strawberry fields, the church graveyard and her first love, the bootleggers and Detroit City, and the strange thing she saw that night in the woodshed. In reliving her life, Addy finds forgiveness, and is finally able to make the journey home again."

 

Journal Entry 2 by JuneBug31 at -- Controlled Release in Toronto, Ontario Canada on Saturday, October 25, 2003

Released on Saturday, October 25, 2003 at Passed to a fellow Bookcrosser in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Passed onto cestmoi today while she visited with me at my home!!

Enjoy!!! 

Journal Entry 3 by cestmoi from Hamilton, Ontario Canada on Saturday, October 25, 2003

This was a recent addition to my wishlist, so I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks Louise! 

Journal Entry 4 by cestmoi from Hamilton, Ontario Canada on Saturday, November 01, 2003

Wonderful story of a woman's life in the Chatham area of Ontario. Addy Shadd becomes mother to an abandoned child and while doing her best to raise Sharla, she reminisces about her life, and all she's lost.

I completely enjoyed this novel and could not put it down. Addy's compasssion and gift for loving and sharing are fine examples of what make people "good".

Passing along to MissQ next week. 

Journal Entry 5 by MissQ from Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on Wednesday, November 12, 2003

Another from my wish list from cestmoi! My list is getting smaller thanks to you! I've been wanting to read this for a while...I'm looking forward to it. 

Journal Entry 6 by MissQ from Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Finished this a couple of days ago. I've had it on the shelf for a while and decided to read it after reading Lansens' latest The Girls.

I enjoyed this book. The story covered a lot from slavery to black settlements to abandoned children. I especially liked Addy's flashbacks and learning all the struggles she went through. It was sad in parts and some silly mistakes were made but such is life. I liked how Addy basically of gained a daughter in Sharla and was able to pass on some of her traditions.

The one thing that bothered me about this story was the ending...it seemed a bit too convenient. Of course, whether a story has a happy ending or not, I never seem to be satisfied. 

Journal Entry 7 by solittletime from Portland, Maine USA on Wednesday, August 16, 2006