The Book of Lost Friends: A Novel

Reading The Book of Lost Friends--what a privilege. It's one of those books that makes you go, "Wow," not only as you finish but while you are reading it. I didn't want it to end, and now I want as many more like it as Lisa Wingate is prepared to give her readers.The stories of Hannie Gossett and Benedetta Silva connect beautifully, forming the best example of a split time novel I've seen from Lisa Wingate. The stories feed into each other, showing how the past informs the present and the present influences past choices so that future generations can have positive experiences. Within that, the diversity of human experiences shines more than in most books I've read lately. In one book, we get the stories of an ex-slave girl, a privileged mixed-race girl (both of whom are forced to live as boys), and a 1980s teacher who looks privileged because she's white and middle-class, but is nursing pain and lack. Within *that*, we also get the non-POV stories of people like Nathan and Robin Gossett, LaJuna Gossett, Shad and Gar Fish, and Missy Lavinia, all of whom have multifaceted backgrounds and journeys.You'd think Lisa would drop the ball somewhere during all these journeys, but she gives the secondary characters just enough page time and shading to both pop and fit seamlessly into the main protagonists' stories. Additionally, she crafts her novel around universal themes without being preachy, so that when they are directly addressed, the reader can support that decision. For instance, the themes of privilege vs. want, freedom vs. slavery, could've been heavy-handed. Instead, organic things like Hannie's conversations with Juneau Jane or Benedetta bringing her students pooperoos, turn these into themes that make you think.As noted, every character pops off the page and has a distinct, relatable voice. Having been a teacher--and a misunderstood one at that--I identified heavily with Benedetta, but also rooted for Hannie, and even Juneau Jane and Lavinia as well. Their character growth occurs across a great mix of internal and external stakes, and I loved the interwoven surprises, such as the true identity of Moses, the reappearance of Gus McKlatchy in both timelines, and the revelation of Robin's project, as well as how it affected Benedetta's students.The Louisiana and Texas settings suck you in and keep you riveted. I loved accompanying Benedetta on her walks through the cemetery, and during Hannie's chapters, I could absolutely feel the constant humidity, muck, and heat. (Eck, but in a good way)! Goswood Grove functions as a character in itself, like a stately old woman who might be "crumbling" or dealing with "dementia," but still has a story to tell if you'll listen. The Cluck and Oink and Granny T were two of my favorite additions, and I especially loved how much the kids loved Granny T. But I think my favorite location had to be Judge Gossett's library, partly because of LaJuna's relationship with it. It reminded me of The Book Thief, with a Southern Gothic twist.As with any great book, it's the scenes that stick in your mind. I had so many favorites it would take forever to list them all, but here are a few to keep an eye out for:-Benedetta's first conversations with Granny T. and Sarge-Granny T's presentation-Hannie's midnight jaunt to the library-Hannie and Juneau Jane discover the Lost Friends and begin writing down stories-Hannie and Juneau Jane cement sisterhood-Benedetta confronts the Gossett-ruled school board-The final Tales from the Underground project/unification of prologue and epilogueThe Book of Lost Friends as an object also unites the stories of modern students and families in the best way I've ever seen it done. Benedetta's half of the story could've easily been the same old, "save our underprivileged students" story, but not only does she learn from the kids, they learn from her and embrace their history in deep, organic ways. Special mention to Benedetta's conversation with Gar Fish over his history (oops, another wonderful scene I forgot)!I could, as you can see, go on all day, but I'll leave this review here. Just a few more words: Read it. You're going to love it. And, to Lisa Wingate, can we have a sequel ASAP, PLEASE? Thanks!-

I found this book to be an interesting dual narrative about post emancipated families who were seeking their families and the present day teacher trying to instill in her students a desire to learn about and write about the narrative of their ancestors. It's not great literature, but it's a good read.

Benny is a newly graduated school teacher in a poor school in Louisiana. She lives in a falling down house with a cemetery as a neighbor and no friends. Her students come to school hungry and some come sporadically. She is trying her hardest to get them interest in literature while scouring the nearby mansion for books for a classroom library.Alternate chapters are 100 years in the past. The story of Hattie, a slave girl whose family was sold off when they were taken by her “Masters” nephew to Texas for safety, her being the only one rescued from Jen Loach. She was returned to the Louisiana plantation and when emancipated was working her 10 years towards freedom, when “Master” disappeared during a search for his no good son. “Master’s” legitimate and illegitimate daughters fell afoul of a man called Marsten, and Hattie, who had posed as a boy to drive them to a meeting, took it upon herself to rescue them and then proceed with them into Texas to complete their quest.Eventually the two stories commingle with an interesting conclusion.

Five Stars Minus. I bought this book for two reasons: (1) I liked her book Before We Were Yours and (2) a close friend recommended it highly. The book switches between two main points of view. Hannie is a former slave in Louisiana in 1975. She is looking for the members of her family who were stolen and sold before the end of the Civil War. Bennie is a teacher in Louisiana in 1987. She is a new English teacher at a small town school in the shadow of the plantation where Hannie lived as a slave. True confession: I started this book two times before I forged ahead. The switching point of view made the beginning less engaging and there is a Kindle specific problem. The hook to this story is the search for Lost Friends. I had no idea that in the years after the Civil War, many freed slaves composed personal ads with their family history and published the ads in a newspaper. That newspaper asked churches throughout the South to read and post the ads. The aim was to reunite family and friends separated by slavery and the Civil War. It is compelling and interesting. Unfortunately for Kindle readers, the actual ads that end Hannie’s chapters are reproduced as graphics that cannot be enlarged. If I turned my light to a very bright setting and changed my glasses, I could puzzle through the ads. Needless to say, that took me out of the story and made reading in bed disruptive. Hence, the stopping and starting. The third time was the charm, and I got caught up in the story. Hannie is bright, strong, resilient, and loyal. She is on a great journey through Louisiana and Texas to find her family and to find her former owner. The details and dangers of the journey are written well. Bennie is also a good character. She is trying hard to connect with her students and connect them with the possibility that their lives can be different. Many of the town residents are descendants of the plantation owners and slaves. This is a book where you can care about the characters, including the secondary characters. There is romance that is romantic. (No graphic sex scenes for those who care.) I enjoyed this book. I would have enjoyed it more without one “surprise” secret revelation that comes near then end. To avoid spoilers I will not say more, but to me it cheapened the story and lessened the impact. Nevertheless, this is history that I did not know, and the writing is very good.

Really interesting storing that gives you a very real perspective on freed slaves right after the end of the war and our own challenges in overcoming life