Tuesday, April 2, 2013

The Last Runaway - Tracy Chevalier


Well usually my post title would be a reference to books, from the book I am reviewing... However I am so out of practice (and go so sucked into this story) that I completely forgot to keep an eye out for one!

I love Tracy Chevalier, and have read everything she has published thus far. I can't stand it though, that every time she brings something new out, it is compared to The Girl With A Pearl Earring.

She has written many others that are just as good, if not better. Most recently I thoroughly enjoyed Remarkable Creatures. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then take a gander at  The Virgin Blue, The Lady and the Unicorn and Burning Bright (which was good, but it didn't have the same pull and strong characters as some of the others)

The Last Runaway was yet another intriguing, immersing and unique view of people, places and events in history.

Set in the 1950's, it follows the story of Honor Bright, a Quaker from England, who travels to America. Along the way, a series of events see her involved with some colourful characters, as well as the underground railway movement, helping to get runaway slaves across the border from America into Canada.

There were some moments where I found the main character a little too rightious and tedious, however the supporting characters were strong and saw me through.


Like all of Chevalier's novel's, this story that had me looking for more information, I wanted to know about Quakers, slavery in America, and with all the quilting going on, it had me snuggling further under one of the patchwork quilts my Mum had made.