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The Throwback
A baby’s birth in the 1840s to George Elwood’s wife on their South Carolina plantation threatens to cause a scandal, but the funeral of mother and child seems to ensure the truth will never be known.
Years later Elwood's son, Thomas, is rescued by a slave girl, Mosa. Helping her in return, he discovers the secrets of his family which set him on a collision course with his father and the law.
Mosa makes it North to freedom but even in New York, she finds her life is threatened.
Receiving unexpected news, she risks her life to return South during the height of the Civil War. She hopes to wait out the war in relative safety away from any population center, but the war finds her and threatens to destroy those she cares about.
A family saga of hatred, revenge, forbidden love, overcoming hardship and helping others from the author of Bound Bayou. For fans of books such as Yellow Crocus and Sister of Mine.
Years later Elwood's son, Thomas, is rescued by a slave girl, Mosa. Helping her in return, he discovers the secrets of his family which set him on a collision course with his father and the law.
Mosa makes it North to freedom but even in New York, she finds her life is threatened.
Receiving unexpected news, she risks her life to return South during the height of the Civil War. She hopes to wait out the war in relative safety away from any population center, but the war finds her and threatens to destroy those she cares about.
A family saga of hatred, revenge, forbidden love, overcoming hardship and helping others from the author of Bound Bayou. For fans of books such as Yellow Crocus and Sister of Mine.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2018
1546 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
David Canford
20 books43 followersWriting historical fiction, David Canford is able to combine his love of history and travel in novels that take readers on a rollercoaster journey through time and place with characters who face struggle and hardship but where resilience, love and forgiveness can overcome hatred and oppression.
He has also written two novels about the future, and a travelogue.
David has three grown up daughters and lives on the south coast of England with his wife and their dog.
For news about new releases and more visit www.davidcanford.com or visit him on Facebook or Instagram.
He has also written two novels about the future, and a travelogue.
David has three grown up daughters and lives on the south coast of England with his wife and their dog.
For news about new releases and more visit www.davidcanford.com or visit him on Facebook or Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
May 6, 2022
A Whirlwind
David Canford has been my friend for years on GR, exchanging Likes. And not once has he ever asked me to read any of his books. I kept trying different books, but I could not get into them. Then I happened on David’s page. I saw this book, so I thought to check it out a Civil War novel. I love Civil War novels, and I bet David knew this, but he never said a word. I appreciate that.
So, I bought this book and began reading it. I could not put it down and will read its sequel. After reding “Gone with the Wind” and hating it because of its racism and boring story with horrible characters, I had wished that someone had written a book that was anti-racist. Well, that is what David did.
The book begins with a family who owns a plantation, and the lady of the house was pregnant with child. When she had the baby, her husband took one look at Its brown skin, and it had to go. He gave it to one of the Black slaves, Maisy, and said, “Take it to the river and drown it.” He soon dealt with his wife. Well, the baby, Mosa, survived, and she is the throwback. The rest of the story is a whirlwind of events, the reason why I could ;not put it down.
David Canford has been my friend for years on GR, exchanging Likes. And not once has he ever asked me to read any of his books. I kept trying different books, but I could not get into them. Then I happened on David’s page. I saw this book, so I thought to check it out a Civil War novel. I love Civil War novels, and I bet David knew this, but he never said a word. I appreciate that.
So, I bought this book and began reading it. I could not put it down and will read its sequel. After reding “Gone with the Wind” and hating it because of its racism and boring story with horrible characters, I had wished that someone had written a book that was anti-racist. Well, that is what David did.
The book begins with a family who owns a plantation, and the lady of the house was pregnant with child. When she had the baby, her husband took one look at Its brown skin, and it had to go. He gave it to one of the Black slaves, Maisy, and said, “Take it to the river and drown it.” He soon dealt with his wife. Well, the baby, Mosa, survived, and she is the throwback. The rest of the story is a whirlwind of events, the reason why I could ;not put it down.
December 12, 2018
Good Read!
Looking back in history and what people went through can be so disheartening but you also realize history has a way of repeating itself. Love for one another, determination to succeed and Faith, Still holds true! Mosa lived that!
Looking back in history and what people went through can be so disheartening but you also realize history has a way of repeating itself. Love for one another, determination to succeed and Faith, Still holds true! Mosa lived that!
August 3, 2018
Sad Sad book but interesting!
Hmmmm without giving too much away this book was sad but interesting. So many victims of hate and prejudice that went beyond skin color but also love. A love of a brother for his sister that hate could not destroy. The more I read of slavery both fiction and non fiction the Civil War was inevitable not only because of slavery but the gross wickedness of that time period that God could not ignore.
Hmmmm without giving too much away this book was sad but interesting. So many victims of hate and prejudice that went beyond skin color but also love. A love of a brother for his sister that hate could not destroy. The more I read of slavery both fiction and non fiction the Civil War was inevitable not only because of slavery but the gross wickedness of that time period that God could not ignore.
July 1, 2018
Excellent!!
Though-provoking historical story about real life in America before and during the Civil War. The events detailed offers insight into more families than one can imagine. Mindless hate is an ugly thing, but love makes a significant difference. Kudos to Mr. Canford for storytelling with clarity and compassion!
Though-provoking historical story about real life in America before and during the Civil War. The events detailed offers insight into more families than one can imagine. Mindless hate is an ugly thing, but love makes a significant difference. Kudos to Mr. Canford for storytelling with clarity and compassion!
July 11, 2021
I was disappointed and almost annoyed at this book. I don’t know if it was just my copy, but there was punctuation missing, misspelled words (not on purpose), and none of the paragraphs were indented. The writing was blocky, the quotes forced and not natural conversation. I think the plot was decent, but execution was poor. I think more character development and sectioning the book into different viewpoints would help. Another thing that annoyed me was Mosa’s speech; when she’s a slave it’s very authentic southern slave language but after learning to read and write after a few months she’s suddenly speaking like a lady when she runs away to New York. I finished the book because it was a short read and I wanted to know what would happen but I will not be reading the sequel.
One more thing, if Thomas and Mosa really did fall in love with each other, I feel like they would have been more emotional about being siblings. But instead they were like, “Oh, okay the person I love I now need to love as a brother/sister. No big deal lets move on.” The story was rushed.
One more thing, if Thomas and Mosa really did fall in love with each other, I feel like they would have been more emotional about being siblings. But instead they were like, “Oh, okay the person I love I now need to love as a brother/sister. No big deal lets move on.” The story was rushed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2021
The story of race, social status and family, this book held promise but ended up being a major disappointment.
Set in the pre-Civil War days and through the war itself, it should have been filled with historical facts and rich, deep descriptions of life on a plantation and the people who lived there.
Instead, it was thrown together with minimal setting and dialogue so poorly written, I was shaking my head throughout.
Set mostly in South Carolina, the illiterate enslaved people on the plantation spoke near perfect English, using words that only their rich, educated owners would know, and perhaps use in daily conversation.
The original plot was good but it didn’t take long to deviate from it and in the end, there wasn’t one character I felt a connection with.
It was filled with too many coincidences and painted an inaccurate portrait of the people living in the South during a tumultuous period in America’s history.
The novel ended somewhat abruptly and that’s when I learned it was the first in a series.
I won’t be reading the next.
Set in the pre-Civil War days and through the war itself, it should have been filled with historical facts and rich, deep descriptions of life on a plantation and the people who lived there.
Instead, it was thrown together with minimal setting and dialogue so poorly written, I was shaking my head throughout.
Set mostly in South Carolina, the illiterate enslaved people on the plantation spoke near perfect English, using words that only their rich, educated owners would know, and perhaps use in daily conversation.
The original plot was good but it didn’t take long to deviate from it and in the end, there wasn’t one character I felt a connection with.
It was filled with too many coincidences and painted an inaccurate portrait of the people living in the South during a tumultuous period in America’s history.
The novel ended somewhat abruptly and that’s when I learned it was the first in a series.
I won’t be reading the next.
January 15, 2019
Mosa is a baby girl born on a southern plantation before the Civil War, without her Father's pre-knowledge that he had a half white-Negro great grandmother, Mosa was born brown. Mosa's father rejects his wife, thinking she's had relations with one of their slaves to produce a brown baby, and the baby girl, disposing of them in different ways from the plantation. Life goes on with a historical story of life on plantations, there is much drama between families, and through circumstances, and now a young woman, Mosa obtains possession and returns to the plantation she was born during the Civil War. A good story.
March 9, 2019
I found this book to be enthralling and absorbing, and thoroughly believable. The characters were real. The author paints a vivid portrait of a slice of history, and the people who were there when it happened. There are a mixture of tragedies and triumphs. I am so glad that there is a sequel, as I was really hoping to find out what happened to the main characters in the book.
August 7, 2018
Great Story
A wonderful endearing book,even though it was about slavery.
The characters were real & memorable.
I couldn't wait to read the next page.
Would recommend to anyone.I read it in one sitting
A wonderful endearing book,even though it was about slavery.
The characters were real & memorable.
I couldn't wait to read the next page.
Would recommend to anyone.I read it in one sitting
August 18, 2018
An excellent book about before and during the Civil War. I enjoyed the plot, the characters, the setting, also, the actions between the master and the slaves. Mosa made the story come alive. Thanks David for a good historical novel .
February 1, 2020
Such a beautiful and different story.
I have always loved the stories of American civil war.
And this one is very differently told.
The characters are very nicely developed..waiting to read the sequel.
I have always loved the stories of American civil war.
And this one is very differently told.
The characters are very nicely developed..waiting to read the sequel.
August 14, 2020
Very good read!
Such a thought provoking story in a quick read. I couldn't put it down. So much happening, surprises, and an ending that compelled me to go on to the next in the series.
Such a thought provoking story in a quick read. I couldn't put it down. So much happening, surprises, and an ending that compelled me to go on to the next in the series.
September 21, 2020
It's a story about slavery seen in a different light. The twists and turns that the reader is taken on is very compelling to the story line. I enjoyed the book from page one. The story captivates you to continue reading to find what happens next. I highly recommend this book.
January 11, 2021
Great read!!!
Once I opened this book, I just couldn't put it down! I read the entire book in one night burning the midnight oil into early morning. Never a dull moment! Patricia
Once I opened this book, I just couldn't put it down! I read the entire book in one night burning the midnight oil into early morning. Never a dull moment! Patricia
February 1, 2021
The Throwback
It is somewhat disturbing to comment that this was a great story about an awful subject. Yet it was. There were heroes both white and black, cruelty and hope, despair and love
It is somewhat disturbing to comment that this was a great story about an awful subject. Yet it was. There were heroes both white and black, cruelty and hope, despair and love
July 4, 2018
A Real Page Turner
This was a great read that was hard to put down .There were new, interesting circumstances, twists and turns. A suspensful historical novel to the very end.
This was a great read that was hard to put down .There were new, interesting circumstances, twists and turns. A suspensful historical novel to the very end.
January 3, 2020
Great book
Love this book could not put it down a real page tuner on to book two.great book every one ☝☝☝
Love this book could not put it down a real page tuner on to book two.great book every one ☝☝☝
July 26, 2020
The Throwback: The Girl Who Didn’t Belong
I really enjoyed this book. I love stories set during the Civil War. Looking forward to reading the follow up book.
I really enjoyed this book. I love stories set during the Civil War. Looking forward to reading the follow up book.
Read
September 27, 2020Compelling Story
Well written about life in the South , good plot and characters. Paints a accurate picture of slavery. Looking forward to the next book
Well written about life in the South , good plot and characters. Paints a accurate picture of slavery. Looking forward to the next book
May 9, 2021
This reads like a YA novel. Plot moves with dialogue. Predictable and full of stereotypes.
October 1, 2025
Canford has clearly done some research, though he gets several details wrong--and the whole concept is based on a genetic impossibility. Yes, before modern genetics people THOUGHT a dark-skinned ancestor's appearance could recur further down the family tree (unless BOTH parents have dark-skinned ancestors, it can't). I like the name Mosa and the story kept my attention at least with its lightning pace. But this felt more like an outline than an actual novel. Canford tries to tackle too much in too little space, and the result is barely-there settings and characters who have as about as much depth as a plank of wood--not to mention the modern phrases and the ridiculous coincidence near the end.
February 27, 2022
Another great read
I've become a fan of David Canford. This novel set in the Civil War south was hard to put down. I always learn something about history in Mr Canford's books. Excellent prose and the story keeps moving.
I've become a fan of David Canford. This novel set in the Civil War south was hard to put down. I always learn something about history in Mr Canford's books. Excellent prose and the story keeps moving.
June 9, 2021
Masterfully Executed Story
This is my second time reading this book. I cannot stop thinking about the plight of the Negro in the deep south. Mr
Canford has given me much food for thought. This story of Mosa and her harrowing story serves as a testiment to the faith of the people during the 1800's war. It was not a civil war, but one of horrific multitude. You will learn and feel so many emotions bu reading this book. Take it to heart as we move from these heartbreaking times forward to a future of diversity and equality for all.
This is my second time reading this book. I cannot stop thinking about the plight of the Negro in the deep south. Mr
Canford has given me much food for thought. This story of Mosa and her harrowing story serves as a testiment to the faith of the people during the 1800's war. It was not a civil war, but one of horrific multitude. You will learn and feel so many emotions bu reading this book. Take it to heart as we move from these heartbreaking times forward to a future of diversity and equality for all.
February 11, 2019
Not for me!
I love historical fiction. I also love when the underdog wins. With out a time machine fiction is the next best thing. Having read a lot of Civil War fiction and non-fiction I fell unbelievable. If you’re looking for a floppy cute story set in the Civil War and yes read this book I guess knowing so much about it I just found it unbelievable. I love this author just not this particular book.
I love historical fiction. I also love when the underdog wins. With out a time machine fiction is the next best thing. Having read a lot of Civil War fiction and non-fiction I fell unbelievable. If you’re looking for a floppy cute story set in the Civil War and yes read this book I guess knowing so much about it I just found it unbelievable. I love this author just not this particular book.
November 5, 2020
Has potential but fell short.
I was a bit disappointed in this book. The premise for the story was great. I was excited to read this book. However, I felt like the characters were not developed very well and the story line jumped too much. It was almost like the author was in a hurry to get it over. This has the potential to be a wonderful book with more character and story development.
I was a bit disappointed in this book. The premise for the story was great. I was excited to read this book. However, I felt like the characters were not developed very well and the story line jumped too much. It was almost like the author was in a hurry to get it over. This has the potential to be a wonderful book with more character and story development.
January 4, 2021
A baby born to the white plantation owners wife is brown he is believes she was unfaithful. He orders a slave to throw the baby in the river and never speak of it or he will sell her. He takes his wife away and claims both dead even going as far as to have a funeral. But the baby girl is taken to another plantation and raised there. In the end it all comes full circle back to the lie that started it all the baby is not dead and the wife was put in asylum. Good book.
January 27, 2019
A Lovely Story
This is a well written book which tells of the lives of both whites and blacks on a plantation prior to and after the Civil War. The storyline is believable and the characters realistic and totally believable. The story flows well and the author allows the characters to tell the story. A pleasant way to spend a few hours.
This is a well written book which tells of the lives of both whites and blacks on a plantation prior to and after the Civil War. The storyline is believable and the characters realistic and totally believable. The story flows well and the author allows the characters to tell the story. A pleasant way to spend a few hours.
October 27, 2018
Days past
This was a very good book. It had a few spelling errors or words that jumped out as odd but, that never took away from the story inside. This is full of courage and life back in the past. I can only imagine how these days were to be living in.
This was a very good book. It had a few spelling errors or words that jumped out as odd but, that never took away from the story inside. This is full of courage and life back in the past. I can only imagine how these days were to be living in.
November 10, 2018
Great read
I really don't care for slavery books but slavery is apart of our history. I could not put this book down. Following the ups and downs of Mosa was a thrilling ride and I can't wait to read the next story.
I really don't care for slavery books but slavery is apart of our history. I could not put this book down. Following the ups and downs of Mosa was a thrilling ride and I can't wait to read the next story.
Read
November 22, 2019A nice little book that encompasses the history of the civil war in addressing mixed children during the civil war era. The story line does a nice job of capturing historical events with fictional characters from the deep south to New York City, you will not be able to put it down!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews