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Runaway
From the author of The Hanging Tree comes Runaway, an intimate tale of innocence, acceptance and freedom. The year is 1863 and Joshua is a runaway slave who finds refuge on a farmstead in Missouri. Six year old Clara was born on the farm and is naive to the ways of the world. She abides there with her mother, Lizbet, and discovers Joshua hiding in the barn. Her father is absent, fighting for the Confederacy with Missouri guerrillas, and she soon forms an attachment with the unusual man whose presence she agrees to keep secret. However, not all secrets can be kept, despite best intentions. This is an evocative tale and the interplay of the characters will keep you enthralled. The descriptive qualities match those of The Hanging Tree, as does the emotional content. Engaging in its simplicity, Runaway is sure to touch its readers and is another tale by Edwin Page that will not soon be forgotten. A story that shows sometimes you don’t have to leave home to make a journey of discovery. 20% of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the charity Anti-Slavery International. The U.K. abolished slavery in 1833 and the U.S. in 1865, but its blight is still present in the world today with an estimated 21 million people living under its yoke, visit www.antislavery.org to find out more. This book is available in paperback and Kindle formats. Look out for the sequel to Runaway. Entitled Homestead, it will be released in paperback and Kindle formats on the 17th November 2017. The Kindle edition will be available to pre-order from the 3rd of that month. 'This moving book about slavery is set in 1863 on a farmstead in Missouri. It focuses on six-year-old Clara and her mother, Lizbet, who, through the last days of slavery, hide Joshua, a runaway slave, in their barn. The child’s presence brings an innocent perspective on the matter that highlights the cruelty of slavery yet also allows for some of the more refreshing elements in this novel. While the plot and outline are not overly original, the book shines with its likeable and endearing characters, and its ultimately upbeat tone. I was gripped by the suspense and deeply touched, and would recommend this book to others' - Historical Novel Society
- GenresHistorical Fiction
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2016
258 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Edwin Page
103 books13 followersWith over eighty books published since 2005, British born writer Edwin Page is one of the most prolific authors of the early 21st Century.
Known largely for his historical fiction, he is the author of the widely acclaimed Where Seagulls Fly. He has also written a number of popular stories relating to slavery in the U.S. These include The Hanging Tree, Runaway and Oona.
Edwin Page has a 1st Class degree in Film & Literary Studies and has had numerous short stories, articles and poems published in a variety of publications. Born and bred near Cambridge, he went to university in Plymouth and Carlisle, and now lives in western Cornwall.
Known largely for his historical fiction, he is the author of the widely acclaimed Where Seagulls Fly. He has also written a number of popular stories relating to slavery in the U.S. These include The Hanging Tree, Runaway and Oona.
Edwin Page has a 1st Class degree in Film & Literary Studies and has had numerous short stories, articles and poems published in a variety of publications. Born and bred near Cambridge, he went to university in Plymouth and Carlisle, and now lives in western Cornwall.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 10, 2018
Historical fiction
This is the first book I have read by Edwin Page but definitely won't be the last. Runaway had very few characters in the story so it was a really good historical fictional with as very intimate feeling to it. Runaway was set during the Civil War and it shows how one woman's learned opinion of the slaves was very wrong,which she discovers, and learns that this one particular slave is no different than she is and it is all taught through an innocent child's eye. Quick read with just a little over 200 pages.
This is the first book I have read by Edwin Page but definitely won't be the last. Runaway had very few characters in the story so it was a really good historical fictional with as very intimate feeling to it. Runaway was set during the Civil War and it shows how one woman's learned opinion of the slaves was very wrong,which she discovers, and learns that this one particular slave is no different than she is and it is all taught through an innocent child's eye. Quick read with just a little over 200 pages.
December 22, 2019
Sad but Redeeming Story
It is heartbreaking that people viewed other human beings as less than human and subservient to them. This is a very sad part of our history, not only in the US but all over the world. The innocence of a child recognizing how wrong this attitude is made this a sweet story of redemption.
It is heartbreaking that people viewed other human beings as less than human and subservient to them. This is a very sad part of our history, not only in the US but all over the world. The innocence of a child recognizing how wrong this attitude is made this a sweet story of redemption.
May 23, 2017
Good
A good read, but took several chapters to get into. A bit wordy. After eight chapters I was finally able to get down to actually reading the meat of the plot. The central plot is very good. I would recommend to readers of historical fiction.
A good read, but took several chapters to get into. A bit wordy. After eight chapters I was finally able to get down to actually reading the meat of the plot. The central plot is very good. I would recommend to readers of historical fiction.
October 27, 2017
Sad story but great read!
This book keeps you coming back as much as time permits. It is really humbling as we are reminded of the civil war. Thankfully this book has great ending as all are reunited.
This book keeps you coming back as much as time permits. It is really humbling as we are reminded of the civil war. Thankfully this book has great ending as all are reunited.
April 5, 2020
Wonderful story
Story of learned compassion at a time in history when whites hearts were of stone towards runaway slaves. Mother learns compassion from her child and the runaway is a hero in the eyes of two women alone on this earth.
Story of learned compassion at a time in history when whites hearts were of stone towards runaway slaves. Mother learns compassion from her child and the runaway is a hero in the eyes of two women alone on this earth.
November 27, 2016
Aewsome
Enjoyed reading the runaway
I wish it could be another book
To see how Clara grows up what
Happen to their family
Enjoyed reading the runaway
I wish it could be another book
To see how Clara grows up what
Happen to their family
November 23, 2018
Great
Held my interest and attention. Easy to follow story line. Sympathize and empathize with all of the main characters in the book. Great ending
Held my interest and attention. Easy to follow story line. Sympathize and empathize with all of the main characters in the book. Great ending
March 7, 2019
Good read, would recommend. Story was short.
September 15, 2019
Good Book
Good book.I would recommend this book to all my friends and my family. I usually read mysteries but this author is very different and enjoyable.
Good book.I would recommend this book to all my friends and my family. I usually read mysteries but this author is very different and enjoyable.
January 31, 2020
What a book to remember....Joshua was a runaway slave. I could not put this book down. Just so terrible how black people were used like animals.
May 16, 2020
Lizbet
I'm glad Lizbet saw the error of her ways because she is quite a character. Clara looks through the eyes of as babe thank goodness.
I'm glad Lizbet saw the error of her ways because she is quite a character. Clara looks through the eyes of as babe thank goodness.
August 18, 2021
Excellence
I truly enjoyed this book. I so needed the happy ending to such a horrible journey. I felt like these were my cousins both black and white. Lol
I truly enjoyed this book. I so needed the happy ending to such a horrible journey. I felt like these were my cousins both black and white. Lol
August 4, 2016
This moving book about slavery is set in 1863 on a farmstead in Missouri. It focuses on six-year-old Clara and her mother, Lizbet, who, through the last days of slavery, hide Joshua, a runaway slave, in their barn.
The child’s presence brings an innocent perspective on the matter that highlights the cruelty of slavery yet also allows for some of the more refreshing elements in this novel.
While the plot and outline are not overly original, the book shines with its likeable and endearing characters, and its ultimately upbeat tone.
I was gripped by the suspense and deeply touched, and would recommend this book to others.
I reviewed this book for the Historical Novel Society, Indie Section.
The child’s presence brings an innocent perspective on the matter that highlights the cruelty of slavery yet also allows for some of the more refreshing elements in this novel.
While the plot and outline are not overly original, the book shines with its likeable and endearing characters, and its ultimately upbeat tone.
I was gripped by the suspense and deeply touched, and would recommend this book to others.
I reviewed this book for the Historical Novel Society, Indie Section.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews