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The Daughter of Union County
Fourteen years after the end of slavery, Lord Henry Hardin and his wife, Lady Bertha, enjoy an entitled life in Union County, Arkansas. Until he faces a devastating reality: Bertha is unable to bear children. If Henry doesn’t produce an heir, the American branch of his family name will die out. So Henry, desperate to preserve his aristocratic family lineage, does the unthinkable.
When Salome, a former slave and Henry’s mistress, gives birth to a white-skinned, blue-eyed daughter, Henry orders a reluctant Lady Bertha to claim the child as their own…allowing young Margaret to pass into the white world of privilege.
As Margaret grows older, unaware of her true parentage, devastating circumstances threaten to shroud her in pain and shame…but then, ultimately, in revelation. Despite rumors about Margaret’s true identity, Salome is determined to transform her daughter’s bitter past into her secure future while Henry goes to extraordinary lengths to protect his legacy. Spanning decades and generations, marked by tragedy and redemption, this unforgettable saga illuminates a family’s fight for their name, for survival, and for true freedom.
When Salome, a former slave and Henry’s mistress, gives birth to a white-skinned, blue-eyed daughter, Henry orders a reluctant Lady Bertha to claim the child as their own…allowing young Margaret to pass into the white world of privilege.
As Margaret grows older, unaware of her true parentage, devastating circumstances threaten to shroud her in pain and shame…but then, ultimately, in revelation. Despite rumors about Margaret’s true identity, Salome is determined to transform her daughter’s bitter past into her secure future while Henry goes to extraordinary lengths to protect his legacy. Spanning decades and generations, marked by tragedy and redemption, this unforgettable saga illuminates a family’s fight for their name, for survival, and for true freedom.
433 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2016
983 people are currently reading
2178 people want to read
About the author
Francine Thomas Howard
10 books44 followersOne of four entrants in the international Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest to have original manuscripts published by AmazonEncore, Francine Thomas Howard has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area most of her life. She is the author of the historical novel, Page From a Tennessee Journal.
After a career as a pediatric occupational therapist, Ms. Howard is delighted to find an audience for her debut novel."
After a career as a pediatric occupational therapist, Ms. Howard is delighted to find an audience for her debut novel."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
July 5, 2016
What a waste of time..... poor writing skills, poor story telling ability. The characters were one dimensional and irritating, I couldn't find one to even remotely like. I wonder if the author has ever visited a state south of Ny or east of Ca. He/she has certainly never been in Arkansas where the story took place. I couldn't bring myself to finish, even after skipping through. Don't waste your time or money on this.
Poor writing skills, poor story telling skills, horrible "book" overall. I would not recommend this book or author to anyone
Poor writing skills, poor story telling skills, horrible "book" overall. I would not recommend this book or author to anyone
May 30, 2017
This novel begins in 1879 in Union County, Arkansas, and spans some 63 years thereafter as we learn about the fate of an interracial family headed by white Henry Hardin. Henry’s wife Bertha could not have children, but Henry’s black “mistress” gives Henry his first child shortly after Bertha’s fourth miscarriage. “Henry was no different from any other man of means in Union County. They all had colored mistresses. Many had more than one.”
The term "mistress" was used intentionally, implying consent. But a slave woman did not have the option to say no. Nevertheless, white masters preferred this benign term to one that might have suggested force or rape. Henry's behavior exhibited a long-standing pattern of white power and privilege that allowed white men to do with their "property" what they wished to do.
The young woman of 18 with whom Henry, 43, had relations, Salome, was mixed race herself. Her mother had been raped repeatedly by Henry’s Irish overseer. When Salome’s baby by Henry was born, the little girl looked white, and Henry decided he and Bertha would raise the child as his own so he could carry on his legacy.
Much of the story is told from the perspective of Salome and her children - she eventually has three - but only her first can pass for white. In the process of telling the story, the author catalogues the sexual predations of whites on black women (seen as no more than they deserve), and the constant insults, injustices, and threats of violence to which the black men were subject, especially if they did not show proper deference to whites.
But most of the book is about “passing.” As Daniel Sharstein wrote in his study of this phenomenon in The Invisible Line, there was an overlooked mass migration from black to white as many African Americans gave up their identities in return for the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As blacks, they suffered restrictions on the ability to earn a living, get an education, enjoy public facilities, avoid threats and insults, and live without the fear of lynching when the mood of whites spoiled. So those who could cross the invisible line between races would often choose almost any other hardships to escape the poisonous consequences of racism.
Margaret, Salome’s first child, benefitted from both affluence and whiteness as the putative daughter of Henry and Bertha Hardin, at least until Henry’s resentful brother exposed Margaret at her coming out party when she turned 18. [Interracial sex was one thing, but bestowing white privilege upon a black or mixed-race person was held to be anathema.]
As Sharfstein emphasizes, from the very beginning of our nation, “…the consequences of being black or white were enormous. It often meant the difference between slavery and freedom, poverty and prosperity, persecution and power.” Thus Margaret was desperate to keep the secret of her African American blood for as long as she could. But the rumors continued to circulate, and all of her family was endangered. After all, trying to "pass" to obtain what one didn't "deserve" was considered to be even worse than being black in the first place.
Some of what happened at the end of book got resolved a little unrealistically, in my opinion, specifically in terms of the metamorphosis of some of the characters from very bad to pretty good. But it made the injustice of the saga more bearable, at least.
Evaluation: This is a horrific story in many ways. But it is well-written, and unfortunately, does not seem at all exaggerated. As difficult as it is to read, for those who want to know what blacks in the South went through after the Civil War was over, this book will make a good start.
The term "mistress" was used intentionally, implying consent. But a slave woman did not have the option to say no. Nevertheless, white masters preferred this benign term to one that might have suggested force or rape. Henry's behavior exhibited a long-standing pattern of white power and privilege that allowed white men to do with their "property" what they wished to do.
The young woman of 18 with whom Henry, 43, had relations, Salome, was mixed race herself. Her mother had been raped repeatedly by Henry’s Irish overseer. When Salome’s baby by Henry was born, the little girl looked white, and Henry decided he and Bertha would raise the child as his own so he could carry on his legacy.
Much of the story is told from the perspective of Salome and her children - she eventually has three - but only her first can pass for white. In the process of telling the story, the author catalogues the sexual predations of whites on black women (seen as no more than they deserve), and the constant insults, injustices, and threats of violence to which the black men were subject, especially if they did not show proper deference to whites.
But most of the book is about “passing.” As Daniel Sharstein wrote in his study of this phenomenon in The Invisible Line, there was an overlooked mass migration from black to white as many African Americans gave up their identities in return for the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As blacks, they suffered restrictions on the ability to earn a living, get an education, enjoy public facilities, avoid threats and insults, and live without the fear of lynching when the mood of whites spoiled. So those who could cross the invisible line between races would often choose almost any other hardships to escape the poisonous consequences of racism.
Margaret, Salome’s first child, benefitted from both affluence and whiteness as the putative daughter of Henry and Bertha Hardin, at least until Henry’s resentful brother exposed Margaret at her coming out party when she turned 18. [Interracial sex was one thing, but bestowing white privilege upon a black or mixed-race person was held to be anathema.]
As Sharfstein emphasizes, from the very beginning of our nation, “…the consequences of being black or white were enormous. It often meant the difference between slavery and freedom, poverty and prosperity, persecution and power.” Thus Margaret was desperate to keep the secret of her African American blood for as long as she could. But the rumors continued to circulate, and all of her family was endangered. After all, trying to "pass" to obtain what one didn't "deserve" was considered to be even worse than being black in the first place.
Some of what happened at the end of book got resolved a little unrealistically, in my opinion, specifically in terms of the metamorphosis of some of the characters from very bad to pretty good. But it made the injustice of the saga more bearable, at least.
Evaluation: This is a horrific story in many ways. But it is well-written, and unfortunately, does not seem at all exaggerated. As difficult as it is to read, for those who want to know what blacks in the South went through after the Civil War was over, this book will make a good start.
July 7, 2016
This was a Kindle First free book.
It's about Henry Hardin and his family during times of slavery. He has 3 children with Salom, a slave on his plantation. The only reason I finished the book was because I liked the character Salom and wanted to see what happened to her and her children, Margaret, Waylon and Thomas. The writing was annoying, all of the Southern sayings were over used in my opinion. It's always disturbing to read about the way slaves were mistreated. I actually scanned through the last five or six chapters.
It's about Henry Hardin and his family during times of slavery. He has 3 children with Salom, a slave on his plantation. The only reason I finished the book was because I liked the character Salom and wanted to see what happened to her and her children, Margaret, Waylon and Thomas. The writing was annoying, all of the Southern sayings were over used in my opinion. It's always disturbing to read about the way slaves were mistreated. I actually scanned through the last five or six chapters.
July 6, 2016
It's not so much that this book was bad; it's that it had so much potential. What was billed by Amazon (free book) as a story of a biracial woman passing for white in late 19th century-early 20th century Arkansas, it was really only a dreary story about a family trying to hide the fact that she was biracial with a lot of overdone "drama" that we've seen before.
June 27, 2018
... What did I just read?
I don't even know where to start with this. The story itself didn't seem to have any clear direction. It really doesn't follow enough generations or seem epic enough to be a multi-generational narrative, but it also doesn't really focus on one generation enough to be just about them either.
The history seems a little weird, especially the deal with the American, living in Arkansas, who insists on holding onto the title of a British aristocrat. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that's not how that works. Not to mention
Most of the characters are not likable. At all. The only ones who are OK are Salome and her two sons, and later Maxwell Joe. But Salome's daughter comes across as really, really stupid and weak-willed, not to mention a little selfish. Lord Hardin has his moments where he can be tolerable, but was so bad the rest of the time that I just couldn't forget what a horrible person he was. And every other male character is a racist or a rapist, usually both.
Also, in case it isn't clear, there is a lot of rape in this book. I understand that rape happens in real life, and especially in the time and setting for this book, but ... it just doesn't seem to be handled very sensitively or with clear enough purpose (other than shock value) in this book. Even the consensual sex, what little of it there is, is written in a way that makes you a little uncomfortable to read.
And I'm sure I'm forgetting things, but ... let's just say I'm glad to be done with this one. At least I take away a lesson from this. From now on, I will check out the reviews on the books before choosing an Amazon First Reads book.
I don't even know where to start with this. The story itself didn't seem to have any clear direction. It really doesn't follow enough generations or seem epic enough to be a multi-generational narrative, but it also doesn't really focus on one generation enough to be just about them either.
The history seems a little weird, especially the deal with the American, living in Arkansas, who insists on holding onto the title of a British aristocrat. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that's not how that works. Not to mention
Most of the characters are not likable. At all. The only ones who are OK are Salome and her two sons, and later Maxwell Joe. But Salome's daughter comes across as really, really stupid and weak-willed, not to mention a little selfish. Lord Hardin has his moments where he can be tolerable, but was so bad the rest of the time that I just couldn't forget what a horrible person he was. And every other male character is a racist or a rapist, usually both.
Also, in case it isn't clear, there is a lot of rape in this book. I understand that rape happens in real life, and especially in the time and setting for this book, but ... it just doesn't seem to be handled very sensitively or with clear enough purpose (other than shock value) in this book. Even the consensual sex, what little of it there is, is written in a way that makes you a little uncomfortable to read.
And I'm sure I'm forgetting things, but ... let's just say I'm glad to be done with this one. At least I take away a lesson from this. From now on, I will check out the reviews on the books before choosing an Amazon First Reads book.
August 25, 2016
It is 1879 and Lord Henry Hardin of Union County, Arkansas awaits the birth his child. However, the mother is not Lady Bertha who is unable to bear children, but instead is Salome, a former slave. Lord Henry is determined that his family name will be continued so he takes the white-skinned, blue-eyed female child from Salome to be raised as his and Bertha’s child – a white child. Thus Margaret, child of a former slave is raised as a Southern lady granted all the privileges of a wealthy white family.
Over the years Henry and Salome manage to maintain their secret. However, at some point secrets always come out. And the consequences are life-changing to many of the characters. The story spans the years of 1879 to 1942, thus revealing the consequences of Henry and Salome’s secret through the generations.
There are quite a few reviews on this book lamenting its racism and violence toward women. But that is how it was in those days. We can’t rewrite history but we can learn how it was and not repeat those atrocities.
This is a story of family – good or bad. Through all the turmoils and struggles, the strength of the family endures. They showed how much could be accomplished as a united family than could have been accomplished as individuals. And there were true “laugh-out-loud” moments, as there are in all families. The characters were so well developed I felt as though I knew them. I laughed with them, grieved with them, and celebrated with them.
Over the years Henry and Salome manage to maintain their secret. However, at some point secrets always come out. And the consequences are life-changing to many of the characters. The story spans the years of 1879 to 1942, thus revealing the consequences of Henry and Salome’s secret through the generations.
There are quite a few reviews on this book lamenting its racism and violence toward women. But that is how it was in those days. We can’t rewrite history but we can learn how it was and not repeat those atrocities.
This is a story of family – good or bad. Through all the turmoils and struggles, the strength of the family endures. They showed how much could be accomplished as a united family than could have been accomplished as individuals. And there were true “laugh-out-loud” moments, as there are in all families. The characters were so well developed I felt as though I knew them. I laughed with them, grieved with them, and celebrated with them.
July 22, 2016
So happy this book was free...
I would hate to think I had to pay for the experience of trying to read this book. If you want to give it a try, get it while it is still free.
I would hate to think I had to pay for the experience of trying to read this book. If you want to give it a try, get it while it is still free.
August 12, 2016
Title: The Daughter of Union County
Author: Francine Thomas Howard
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Daughter of Union County" by Francine Thomas Howard
My Thoughts.....
I will start out saying this was definitely one of those novels that you will either like or dislike. Well, I am a little in between because the author does bring out a lot of what was going on during that time of slavery. This was a read of much greed, strange family that dealt with slavery, domestic abuse, fear, racism and what I found most interesting sometimes even love? I still can't quite understand why I chose to read this novel other than the description of the read got my attention. To say I liked this read, well I can't say that to be completely honest, however I did feel that this author gave it her all with her writing and to give the reader a HEA ending was somewhat indeed interesting to me. I will say I am not interest in slavery but I just wanted to see how this author would lay it all out for the reader. To say this was a enjoyable read where I couldn't put down would not be true for me. However, being a book reviewer I always finish any book I pickup to read. This was definitely a very sad look at what has gone on in 'our world.' I am glad this is a fiction read and not a true story. My rating will be a 3.5 which equals out to a four because I did think this author did give the reader one very unforgettable read about the 'reconstruction era of slavery and indentured servitude' that you will either choose to like or dislike. It will be up to you the reader to decide for yourself.
I received the novel from NetGallery in return for my honest opinion.
Author: Francine Thomas Howard
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Daughter of Union County" by Francine Thomas Howard
My Thoughts.....
I will start out saying this was definitely one of those novels that you will either like or dislike. Well, I am a little in between because the author does bring out a lot of what was going on during that time of slavery. This was a read of much greed, strange family that dealt with slavery, domestic abuse, fear, racism and what I found most interesting sometimes even love? I still can't quite understand why I chose to read this novel other than the description of the read got my attention. To say I liked this read, well I can't say that to be completely honest, however I did feel that this author gave it her all with her writing and to give the reader a HEA ending was somewhat indeed interesting to me. I will say I am not interest in slavery but I just wanted to see how this author would lay it all out for the reader. To say this was a enjoyable read where I couldn't put down would not be true for me. However, being a book reviewer I always finish any book I pickup to read. This was definitely a very sad look at what has gone on in 'our world.' I am glad this is a fiction read and not a true story. My rating will be a 3.5 which equals out to a four because I did think this author did give the reader one very unforgettable read about the 'reconstruction era of slavery and indentured servitude' that you will either choose to like or dislike. It will be up to you the reader to decide for yourself.
I received the novel from NetGallery in return for my honest opinion.
July 5, 2016
A Kindle First free book for July 2016.
I was interested in this book because it is supposed to be based upon the author's family history, with poetic license taken, of course. It centers around a family with aristocratic roots going back to England, but since neither brother can produce an heir with their wives, the daughter of the younger son of the duke and his mistress is light-skinned enough to "pass" in Arkansas.
There's a lot of misery in this book that begins during the reconstructionist era. And it's so sad to see all of the suffering that occurred as a result in those days when there was so much backwards thinking on how to treat people.
I was interested in this book because it is supposed to be based upon the author's family history, with poetic license taken, of course. It centers around a family with aristocratic roots going back to England, but since neither brother can produce an heir with their wives, the daughter of the younger son of the duke and his mistress is light-skinned enough to "pass" in Arkansas.
There's a lot of misery in this book that begins during the reconstructionist era. And it's so sad to see all of the suffering that occurred as a result in those days when there was so much backwards thinking on how to treat people.
July 5, 2016
White girl or black
Great story of greed, family, slavery, racism, and love. The author did a wonderful job depicting the families of Hardin House. Lay Margaret born to a black slave who was impregnated by her master. The child has skin like a white girl so the master raises his daughter as his and his wife's child. Lots of mystery and intrigue. I loved the book. Good read for history buffs!!!
Great story of greed, family, slavery, racism, and love. The author did a wonderful job depicting the families of Hardin House. Lay Margaret born to a black slave who was impregnated by her master. The child has skin like a white girl so the master raises his daughter as his and his wife's child. Lots of mystery and intrigue. I loved the book. Good read for history buffs!!!
July 7, 2016
Beautiful storytelling
Wants, needs, sacrifices make up this tale of a family and its loyalties, secrets, and hardships in segregated Arkansas in the 1800s. I strongly recommend that you read this book. It will consume you and give you insights of a time when a slave had many hats to wear. Enjoy.
Wants, needs, sacrifices make up this tale of a family and its loyalties, secrets, and hardships in segregated Arkansas in the 1800s. I strongly recommend that you read this book. It will consume you and give you insights of a time when a slave had many hats to wear. Enjoy.
July 7, 2016
Excellent book
This is a real eye opener, even if it is a work of five. The author draws you in to this story of how far people will go to protect their families. A great story of freedom and it's consequences.
This is a real eye opener, even if it is a work of five. The author draws you in to this story of how far people will go to protect their families. A great story of freedom and it's consequences.
December 7, 2016
I'm a little torn on this book. I'm going to rate it five stars because it's quality literature with well developed characters. On the other hand, the author demonstrates a flabbergasting lack of understanding of southern white men.
I guess I'll start with the good. As I began listening to this book, I genuinely thought I was listening to a classic piece of literature although I was thrown off by the way that white southerners were being portrayed. I decided to use Google to find out when the book was published. How surprised was I to learn it was published in August of 2016! The story rarely dragged until the final parts and painted vivid and exciting pictures with colorful and fastidiously planned language. Parts of the story were very creative and unique.
Then there's the bad. The author's portrayal of white men is bizarre and untrue. White men are portrayed as slobbering, hyper-sexual beasts with no self-control who just run around raping everything and everyone they can catch. At one point, the author flat out says that every single white man in Union County "had colored mistresses" (i.e. were raping theirslaves servants). It is a proven historical fact that white men sometimes engaged in sexual relations (whether consensual or not) with their slaves. That can not be refuted by any intellectually honest person. But having sexual relations with a non-white person was EXTREMELY taboo. It was thought of similarly to how we think of having sex with animals today. Even up through the 1960s the majority of white southerners were filled with disgust at the idea of miscegenation. Heck... even I Love Lucy created quite a stir with a white American red-head marrying a Cuban man. So it is almost impossible that all white men raped their slaves. It appears that it was a bit more common than we once thought it was. Sadly, it is likely that people raping their pets is more common than we think too. But the author loses credibility by suggesting that all white southern men raped their (and other peoples') slaves. Black men, on the other hand, were portrayed as noble, intelligent and reserved. They never raped. They were respectful and protective.
Kind of bad but kind of good were the weird, kinky, quasi-sexual "punishment" scenes when women were bad and needed correction.
Overall this was a really good book. I would encourage the author (not that my opinion should mean anything to her) to continue writing because she's very talented. In the future, I think she should stick to writing about people and things she understands a bit better. But I would definitely buy another of her books.
I guess I'll start with the good. As I began listening to this book, I genuinely thought I was listening to a classic piece of literature although I was thrown off by the way that white southerners were being portrayed. I decided to use Google to find out when the book was published. How surprised was I to learn it was published in August of 2016! The story rarely dragged until the final parts and painted vivid and exciting pictures with colorful and fastidiously planned language. Parts of the story were very creative and unique.
Then there's the bad. The author's portrayal of white men is bizarre and untrue. White men are portrayed as slobbering, hyper-sexual beasts with no self-control who just run around raping everything and everyone they can catch. At one point, the author flat out says that every single white man in Union County "had colored mistresses" (i.e. were raping their
Kind of bad but kind of good were the weird, kinky, quasi-sexual "punishment" scenes when women were bad and needed correction.
Overall this was a really good book. I would encourage the author (not that my opinion should mean anything to her) to continue writing because she's very talented. In the future, I think she should stick to writing about people and things she understands a bit better. But I would definitely buy another of her books.
February 9, 2017
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. No one asked me to review it, so here goes.
I found this book interesting, in spite of the fact that I thought the title character was a twit until about 90% of the way through the book. And in spite of the fact that there were very few plot points that surprised me after the initial setup. The book was well written enough that I cared about these characters and wanted to see if the author would actually go where I thought the plot was going. Most times, she did. And I wanted a happy ending for the title character and her family -- in spite of the fact that most of the way through this book I just wanted to slap some sense into her.
Several themes ran through this book: racial hatred, religious intolerance, inherited personality traits, misunderstanding the concept of family honor, the power of family unity, underestimating and dismissing those of a lower "class" than you, among others. However, as the Good Book says, "the truth shall set you free" and this is the overarching theme of this book.
Two words of warning here: 1) This book begins in 1879 and ends in 1942. Race relations were abysmal in this country. If you have trouble with honest portrayals of the treatment of ALL non-whites during this time, please don't read this book. If you don't want to accept the fact that this treatment was considered normal at the time, please don't read this book. 2) Some of the dialog in this book is written to simulate the various dialects that could be heard at the time. Some people find the use of "dialect" in written dialog demeaning. In my opinion, in this book it is used to great effect. It is used to highlight the difference between the way former slaves spoke to each other and the way they spoke to their former masters. It is also used to highlight how uneducated people spoke differently than educated people. If this offends you, please don't read this book.
So here's my opinion. I don't have any idea how long this book will stay with me. It doesn't feel life-changing, but I do appreciate the author's effort to make her audience think. I don't think I'd read a sequel, if there was one. I think the ending of this book was quite satisfying. It isn't anywhere near my favorite genre, but I'm glad I read it. I've looked at the descriptions of goodreads recommendations based on this book and none of them appeal to me, but, again, I'm glad I read this one. I recommend you read it.
I found this book interesting, in spite of the fact that I thought the title character was a twit until about 90% of the way through the book. And in spite of the fact that there were very few plot points that surprised me after the initial setup. The book was well written enough that I cared about these characters and wanted to see if the author would actually go where I thought the plot was going. Most times, she did. And I wanted a happy ending for the title character and her family -- in spite of the fact that most of the way through this book I just wanted to slap some sense into her.
Several themes ran through this book: racial hatred, religious intolerance, inherited personality traits, misunderstanding the concept of family honor, the power of family unity, underestimating and dismissing those of a lower "class" than you, among others. However, as the Good Book says, "the truth shall set you free" and this is the overarching theme of this book.
Two words of warning here: 1) This book begins in 1879 and ends in 1942. Race relations were abysmal in this country. If you have trouble with honest portrayals of the treatment of ALL non-whites during this time, please don't read this book. If you don't want to accept the fact that this treatment was considered normal at the time, please don't read this book. 2) Some of the dialog in this book is written to simulate the various dialects that could be heard at the time. Some people find the use of "dialect" in written dialog demeaning. In my opinion, in this book it is used to great effect. It is used to highlight the difference between the way former slaves spoke to each other and the way they spoke to their former masters. It is also used to highlight how uneducated people spoke differently than educated people. If this offends you, please don't read this book.
So here's my opinion. I don't have any idea how long this book will stay with me. It doesn't feel life-changing, but I do appreciate the author's effort to make her audience think. I don't think I'd read a sequel, if there was one. I think the ending of this book was quite satisfying. It isn't anywhere near my favorite genre, but I'm glad I read it. I've looked at the descriptions of goodreads recommendations based on this book and none of them appeal to me, but, again, I'm glad I read this one. I recommend you read it.
May 22, 2017
This story will make you feel. It will piss you off, make you happy, make you curious, etc. Don't expect this to be a feel good book or one that you can read just to read. It will make you stop and ponder about the lives of people in this era. Right or wrong, you cannot change history. You can only learn from it. A good book is one that makes you ponder it long after you've read it. This is one.
July 10, 2016
Long, involved story but a great one!
Most likely a great example of what many people in the south of all races dealt with during slave times. Great story, goes through a long period of time but easy to follow.
Most likely a great example of what many people in the south of all races dealt with during slave times. Great story, goes through a long period of time but easy to follow.
July 8, 2016
I enjoyed this book. There are so many plot twists that keep you coming back.
July 15, 2016
Good Read
I loved everything about this book. Definitely a page turner. I love the way the author had the Hardin stick together. I recommend this book to all readers.
I loved everything about this book. Definitely a page turner. I love the way the author had the Hardin stick together. I recommend this book to all readers.
October 11, 2018
The characters weren’t developed enough for me to care about any of them. Too much violence and superficial relationships. It had the potential of being a great story but it just wasn’t.
July 30, 2022
This was an ok book. It did keep me interested but unclear on the ending of the story.
October 27, 2018
Argh. This was awful. It was one of those kindle free books, and boy, i should have paid to NOT have to have read it. Actually, I didn't read the whole thing. I read the firsst 150 pages or so, and after the 4rth or 5th rape scene, yep, i lost count, I sort of lost interest. The whole tale was so stupid. RIch guy, Henry who was improbably descended from European royalty (British?) - he claimed to be a Duke. His brother however got all the inheritance, so Henry moved to rural southern Arkansa and became a billionare farmer, in Post-reconstruction southern America, no less. I don't remember anyone being wealthy in that part of the country at that time? Henry was though, which was a good thing, because every time he fathered a child, or did something illegal, he needed lots and lots of $$ to bribe people to keep his secrets. The big secret, that Henry's only daughter wasn't actually his wife's child, but his black sex slaves child. Henry apparently got wealthy owning a "Farm". The only detail of what I noticed he produced was one scene that took place in an apple orchard. Oddly in that scene Henry is thinking about how his farm manager is doing a lousy job, and not producing bumper crops. Yet he's still flooded with cash. I don't think people were making big bucks off of apples in Arkansas in 1880. Absolutely nothing in this book rang factually or emotionally true to me. Oh, later in the book, various family members strike oil on the family land - and start killing each other for the land rights. I did a google search, and yes, oil has been found, starting in the 1920's, in Arkansa - but most were small producers (less than 10 barrells a day), and only two major large producing wells are in Arkansas.
Also, when Henry Sr dies and leaves his wealth equally to his "white" daughter and her two black brothers, she inheriits all the "stock and investments held in NY." Seems like this would have been just prior to the the stockmarket crash, but even though the story carries on through the 1940's - that event is never mentioned..
Also, when Henry Sr dies and leaves his wealth equally to his "white" daughter and her two black brothers, she inheriits all the "stock and investments held in NY." Seems like this would have been just prior to the the stockmarket crash, but even though the story carries on through the 1940's - that event is never mentioned..
August 11, 2016
This book was interesting. I chose it as my July First Read. Although most reviewers says it is set during slavery, the book actually begins 14 years after slavery is abolished. I found the topic intriguing. However, the description makes you believe that the daughter passed for white all her life, or at least a majority of it. It does not tell us that about 1/3 through the book, everybody and her mamma knows that she is "passing".
While some people were upset about it, I accepted as it was, a piece of history something that, no doubt, happened in some form of fashion throughout slavery and the years immediately following slavery. Although I did have to suspend belief that it could come out that she was black and he and his family were still accepted. Arkansas was as bad as Mississippi in the years following slavery. Regardless of the amount of money her daddy had, they would have been run out of town on a rail for having the audacity to pass off that gal as a white gal!
That being said, I thought the writing was decent, but it was like the author wanted to put in every writing cliche known to man. The characters weren't as developed as I would have liked and the story line started getting bogged down about 1/3 through the book. It was as if she wasn't sure how to the end the book so it dragged on too long and then it was an anti-climatic rush to the end. No true conclusions, but a lot of questions as if there is a sequel. I like my books to end. But this book had a question at the end about getting back property....no matter what!
Yes, the content was racist, sexist, and violent, but those were the times, hell they still are. I think it fits neatly within the historical fiction category. I thought it was a valiant effort and I expect bigger and better things from this author.
While some people were upset about it, I accepted as it was, a piece of history something that, no doubt, happened in some form of fashion throughout slavery and the years immediately following slavery. Although I did have to suspend belief that it could come out that she was black and he and his family were still accepted. Arkansas was as bad as Mississippi in the years following slavery. Regardless of the amount of money her daddy had, they would have been run out of town on a rail for having the audacity to pass off that gal as a white gal!
That being said, I thought the writing was decent, but it was like the author wanted to put in every writing cliche known to man. The characters weren't as developed as I would have liked and the story line started getting bogged down about 1/3 through the book. It was as if she wasn't sure how to the end the book so it dragged on too long and then it was an anti-climatic rush to the end. No true conclusions, but a lot of questions as if there is a sequel. I like my books to end. But this book had a question at the end about getting back property....no matter what!
Yes, the content was racist, sexist, and violent, but those were the times, hell they still are. I think it fits neatly within the historical fiction category. I thought it was a valiant effort and I expect bigger and better things from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2018
How is it possible that every character in this story is so stupid? Every background character immediately suspects all the "deep dark" secrets correctly and spreads them as factual gossip. All the main players need it all elaborately laid out and even then are unlikely to fully accept the facts. You're told characters are smart and then you watch them behave stupidly. And most of the characters are terrible secret keepers. If the master is your father and your mother says, "Your fath.... master" every time he comes up, why wouldn't you suspect? This repetitive mistake making is yet another way supposedly smart characters appear stupid or like it's done to remind the reader. If the reader is supposed to be so stupid that we can't remember the major plot points from sentence to sentence, then I'm offended on our behalf.
October 4, 2016
I recieved this book THE DAUGHTER OF UNION COUNTY BY FRANCINE THOMAS HOWARD from goodreads free in exchange for a review.
I loathe to write a bad review on a book because I dont want to hurt anyones career,but its my promise to goodreads that I do so.
I struggled to get through this because to me it was beyond boring. No highlights stick out in my mind as there were really no highlights to the story. I pretty much have foregotton the book already and I finished it yesterday,after much struggle.
If you go for one dimensional truly snoring characters with no redeemable qualities then this one's for you , if not, dont bother
I loathe to write a bad review on a book because I dont want to hurt anyones career,but its my promise to goodreads that I do so.
I struggled to get through this because to me it was beyond boring. No highlights stick out in my mind as there were really no highlights to the story. I pretty much have foregotton the book already and I finished it yesterday,after much struggle.
If you go for one dimensional truly snoring characters with no redeemable qualities then this one's for you , if not, dont bother
July 25, 2016
I enjoyed this novel. Until the end. The end was incredibly rushed and did a disservice to the characters. This should have been two novels with the same care put into the last quarter of the book and characters as was put into the first three quarters.
Won't be in that much of a hurry to pick up another book by this author.
Won't be in that much of a hurry to pick up another book by this author.
July 7, 2016
Interesting read
I liked the story. It held my interest. What I didn't care for was the way the author used partial words in half formed sentences in the dialog of the characters. I also grew frustrated with some off the characters seeming to be rather dim witted about their situations. It made the story lag in places.
I liked the story. It held my interest. What I didn't care for was the way the author used partial words in half formed sentences in the dialog of the characters. I also grew frustrated with some off the characters seeming to be rather dim witted about their situations. It made the story lag in places.
July 7, 2016
Compelling in its own way--kept me reading anyway--but very repetitive and frustrating "she couldn't think...what was happening. She couldn't understand what he meant...what was he trying to say to her..." The use of dialect is also grating ("yes, suh!").
July 7, 2016
I flew through the first 2/3rds of the book but the last third was painful to get through to the finish. While I was repeatedly annoyed by the daughter's lack of a backbone, I did for the most part enjoy the book. The ending lacked any real resolution and was disappointing.
July 10, 2016
Hardly a classic
May appeal to readers of modern romances. Questionable literary value. Plot is contrived, descriptive vocabulary is elementary and dialogue is trite.
May appeal to readers of modern romances. Questionable literary value. Plot is contrived, descriptive vocabulary is elementary and dialogue is trite.
July 18, 2016
Waste of time. Good thing it was a Kindle First freebie, and I am a fast reader.
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