Acquired Book By:
I was selected to be a tour stop on the “Redfield Farm” virtual book tour through Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. I received a complimentary copy of “Redfield Farm” direct from the author Judith Redline Coopey, in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Inspired to Read:
I had disclosed my connection to the Underground Railroad through my ancestral line whilst I interviewed the author, however, more to the point, I believe there will be a need to keep mindful of stories involving the Underground Railroad until such a time in our current timeline of history where racial intolerance and injustice is no longer a headline in the news media. Even as I penned my thoughts on behalf of this fictional story set within the time frame of the author’s historical past, I learnt of a new story emerging (courtesy of Twitter’s Trending Stories) which shows how far we still have to travel for the civil rights and liberties for all persons living in our country to be acknowledged and defended.
Fiction proves to seek a way forward in our national conscience and our conversation about where we need to strive to put a positive step forward towards change. Historical fiction gives us a way forward through acknowledging the past, seeing how history wronged individuals and how the courage of those who fought to free slaves caught in states who were not free to live on their own terms, truly helped make progress happen. It saddens me there are new issues facing us where we still do not live in a society where acceptance of our differences is not yet commonplace.
Writers such as Judith Redline Coopey are boldly taking a stand by providing readers with a compelling drama set during a tumultuous time in history which echoes forward a chilling reality readers today can sympathise with recognition.
Redfield Farm: A Novel of the Underground Railroad
by Judith Redline Coopey
Source: Author via Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Book Synopsis of Redfield Farm:
Ann Redfield is destined to follow her brother Jesse through life – two years behind him – all the way. Jesse is a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and Ann follows him there as well.
Quakers filled with a conviction as hard as Pennsylvania limestone that slavery is an abomination to be resisted with any means available, the Redfield brother and sister lie, sneak, masquerade and defy their way past would-be enforcers of the hated Fugitive Slave Law.
Their activities inevitably lead to complicated relationships when Jesse returns from a run with a deadly fever, accompanied by a fugitive, Josiah, who is also sick and close to death. Ann nurses both back to health. But precious time is lost, and Josiah, too weak for winter travel, stays on at Redfield Farm. Ann becomes his teacher, friend and confidant. When grave disappointment disrupts her life, Ann turns to Josiah for comfort, and comfort leads to intimacy. The result, both poignant and inspiring, leads to a life long devotion to one another and their cause.
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 9780978924744
Published by Indi Publishing Group
on 3rd August, 2010
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 280
Published By: Indi Publishing Group
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook
Converse on Twitter via: #JudithRedlineCoopey, #JudithRedlineCoopeyBlogTour
Read MoreReading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2015 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge