Review: Orphan Mother

Orphan Mother

By~ Robert Hicks

Quote: " It mean, she don't know when she need help. She don't know when she in trouble. She don't know when it's time to give up." ~ Hooper

(pg. 150)

Started: July 23, 2017

Finished: July 31, 2017

paperback/320 pages

From the Cover:

In the years following the Civil War, Mariah Reddick, former slave to Carrie McGavock--the "Widow of the South"-- has quietly built a new life for herself as a midwife to the women of Franklin, Tennessee. But when her ambitious, politically minded grown son, Theopolis, is murdered, Mariah-no stranger to loss--finds her world once more breaking apart. How could this happen?

Who wanted him dead?

  Mariah's journey to uncover the truth leads her to unexpected people- including George Tole, a recent arrival in town, fleeing a difficult past of his own- and forces her to confront the truths of her own past. Brimming with the vivid prose and historical research that has won ROBERT HICKS recognition as a "master storyteller"(San Francisco Chronicle), THE ORPHAN MOTHER is the unforgettable story of one woman's heroic struggle in the face of overwhelming adversity and the undeniable strength of a mother's love.

My Review:

I have to say that I enjoyed this book right from the beginning. It is "someone's story".

Although it is fiction, someone, somewhere has lived this. Probably not exactly but it is definitely a "facts within" book. Which makes me love it even more.

The characters were real!

The place was believable.

The times were tragic and heartbreaking.

There was love, hate, sadness, joy, life and death.

All throughout history we see these things. Some trying to separate, some trying to come together. 

Power, greed, superiority, self doubt, shame

Judging, being judged. 

Sadly, there is no perfect answer.

We are born into things, taught things, we may learn things and at a point we must decide who we are. What do we believe and what will we pass on and live out in our own life and the choices we make.

I love any book that makes you humble. It really makes you take a look at yourself and ask...

What would I have done?

How would I have dealt with these circumstances, this situation?

How can we treat any other human this way?

Where does ignorance end and stupidity begin?

Will you become bitter or better?

 Faith and Hope are amazing things to behold!

Mariah's story is heartbreaking and empowering!

Definitely a 5 star.

I hope sooo many people will read her "story"

The Orphan Mother by Robert Hicks