Chevalier doesn’t disappoint, once again producing a meticulously-researched story with engaging characters.
Set in mid-nineteenth century America, The Last Runaway is an entertaining and interesting read with a varied cast of engaging characters. The story had some truly gripping moments when worrying about whether a runaway slave will get caught had me on the edge of my seat. The subjects of slavery, religion and women’s rights (among others) were handled sensitively and sat within the narrative – you never felt you were being “taught” something.
I finished the book and thought, “That was really good”. But then I dithered about whether to give it 3 or 4 stars out of 5. In the end I gave it 4 because I think I’ve become so used to Chevalier’s books being this good, I’ve started to become desensitized to the scale of her achievement. Being able to weave together fact and fiction to create an interesting story, and one in which people referring to each other using “thee” doesn’t seem at all odd, is more than impressive.
For those of you wanting to know more about the plot, here’s the blurb:
In New York Times bestselling author Tracy Chevalier’s newest historical saga, she introduces Honor Bright, a modest English Quaker who moves to Ohio in 1850, only to find herself alienated and alone in a strange land. Sick from the moment she leaves England, and fleeing personal disappointment, she is forced by family tragedy to rely on strangers in a harsh, unfamiliar landscape.
Nineteenth-century America is practical, precarious, and unsentimental, and scarred by the continuing injustice of slavery. In her new home Honor discovers that principles count for little, even within a religious community meant to be committed to human equality.
However, drawn into the clandestine activities of the Underground Railroad, a network helping runaway slaves escape to freedom, Honor befriends two surprising women who embody the remarkable power of defiance. Eventually she must decide if she too can act on what she believes in, whatever the personal costs.
Love Tracys books love that cover x
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That’s a good point – her covers are usually great! 🙂
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Ooo sounds good…I’ll look out for it.
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It’s surprising how quickly she makes you care about what happens to a random, mid-19th C Quaker girl! Another good story with strong female leads too.
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I have this in the 746! I’ve never read any of her books before but this sounds really good.
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All her books are so good, although some slightly more so than others. I think I’d put this on a par with Girl with the Pearl Earring and Remarkable Creatures. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed this one, it seems really good! Added to my TBR. Great review! ❤
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Thank you! Chevalier hasn’t written a bad book yet! 🙂
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