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Page from a Tennessee Journal: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.05) - 397 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From the author of The Daughter of Union County comes an intimate and heart-pounding novel about two families—one black, one white—colliding against the explosive backdrop of the post–Civil War South.
It’s been fifty years since the Civil War ended, but the racial divide is as rigid and unforgiving as ever. For two families in the rural South, that boundary will be crossed.
Alex and Eula Mae McNaughton own a tobacco farm in Tennessee. Black sharecroppers John and Annalaura Welles work it. In this particular summer of 1913, John has left without a word, and Annalaura is expected to bring in the crop by herself. Alone, fearing eviction, and desperate to feed her four children, Annalaura is forced into becoming Alex’s mistress. The only thing forbidden is Alex’s growing affection for Annalaura. She isn’t the only one faced with terrible choices. Eula Mae is waging her own battle against her husband and her assumed indifference. John, too, is bent on revenge. His sudden return will set in motion a devastating chain of events that will change all of their lives forever.
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"Well told story of black sharecropper (Annalaura)apparently abandoned and left with 4 children by husband (John Welles). In struggle for survival she ends in affair with white landowner (Alex McNaughton). Mutual affection follows as does baby. In the end Annalaura has to choose between John who returns to her and Alex. Point of book, I think, is not choice she makes as we do not know that but rather the power she has to make the choice."
— Courtney (4 out of 5 stars)
Page from a Tennessee Journal Listener Reviews
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" All of my least favorite things - bad writing, heaving bosoms, etc ick. "
— Tory, 2/17/2014 -
" Powerful insight into the times, great read, great characters though some story lines left untied. "
— Jes, 2/2/2014 -
" Completely enjoyed this, about survival and personal strength. Vivid characters and story. "
— Jane, 1/22/2014 -
" A very good read. Vibrant characters. Hard times with even more difficult personal situations. My only fault is that it ended a tad abruptly...or perhaps I wanted to hear more of the story. "
— Kay, 1/16/2014 -
" casual read "
— Cris, 1/12/2014 -
" I have mixed feelings about this book. "Pages" is a story of racial and gender issues in 1913 Tennessee. There were parts I really liked, and others I thought unnecessary. I'm no prude, but some steamy parts felt too close to one of those bodice rippers with a tawdry cover. On the other hand, that might have been when kept me turning pages after alot of heavy somber reading lately! The author tried to break some stereotypes by reversing what could have been cliched plots and characters, but it didn't always work for me. I do question whether some of what I felt as implausible is my caucasian naivete showing through. "
— Nancy, 1/4/2014 -
" Very good story, a culture not so far in our past...good read. "
— Don, 1/4/2014 -
" a very fast read, a good title to read set in an earlier time than "The Help". Annalaura Welles is left alone on a sharecropper farm with 4 children to feed and no prospects. A huge indictment of the Jim Crow south and the plight of colored and white women to rise above the injustice of the times. "
— Joni, 9/16/2013 -
" I liked this book as well as the help. I am surprised it is not on the best sellers list. It should be on the top 10. "
— Genie, 9/6/2013 -
" This book happens to be set in Tennessee, with an emphasis on the relationships between tobacco farmers and share croppers in the early 1900's. It's definitely a page turner that keeps you guessing on what's ultimately going to happen. Highly recommended. "
— Lauri, 8/7/2013 -
" Intriguing book. The first chapter is rough to read and fortunately that language does not persist. A strong story almost hard to believe. An eye opener. Need to digest this story for a few days before I can start another. "
— Linda, 6/27/2013 -
" Jane, here's another one you will like=) "
— Tracy, 4/30/2013 -
" I liked this book after I got past the harshness of the language and the treatment of the African-American people. I would like to think stories like this never happened in our country but I know that's not true. "
— Jane, 12/31/2012 -
" This is a story about a tenant farming black woman in 1913 Tennessee, whose husband leaves her during harvest time, but help comes from an unlikely place. Namely, her white landlord. Havoc ensues. The novel has a slow start, but builds into a great read. "
— Arlene, 12/22/2012 -
" I need to add this to the books I did not finish. This book reads like a Harlequin Romance from the early 1900s. The story could have been great, but was peppered with bad writing, heaving bosoms, growing manhood, etc. Ick! I read about 90 pgs. "
— Laura, 10/20/2012 -
" Although this book dealt with an important historical issue, I just really didn't connect with any of the characters. I thought it was all sort of melodramatic, with people acting in ways that weren't necessarily consistent or realistic. And the ending was a real disappointment. "
— Greta, 10/19/2012 -
" Loved this book. Loved Annalaura, loved Alex, loved John and loved Eula. "
— Tara, 9/20/2012 -
" A little unrealistic by the end of the novel. Starts out very realistically. "
— Liz, 1/24/2012 -
" The ending was especially great! "
— Pam, 1/11/2012 -
" Good book. Kept interest and a fast read. "
— Lynn, 1/6/2012 -
" loved it-- read it in 3 days-- it was probably a true story. you actually felt like you were in the room witnessing everything. "
— Dana, 11/13/2011 -
" Graphic, but an excellent view into the reality of slavery "
— Annemarie, 10/23/2011 -
" The review of this book says "stunning debut novel". I wasn't stunned. The subject matter was interesting but too graphic and the writing was just average. "
— Shannon, 10/19/2011 -
" I liked this book after I got past the harshness of the language and the treatment of the African-American people. I would like to think stories like this never happened in our country but I know that's not true. "
— Jane, 9/30/2011 -
" Loved it! A glimpse at one event in the lives of four different people all with a different perspective. I was angry at the end because there was no real resolution but I quickly realized that it was the perfect ending because, as with any journal, the story is never over. "
— Andrea, 9/24/2011 -
" Very good story, a culture not so far in our past...good read. "
— Don, 9/4/2011 -
" I enjoyed this book and thought it was well written. My biggest disappointment was that it didn't have a conclusive ending. I'm just the type of reader who wants to know exactly how the story ends, and that wasn't the case with this book. I would read this author again. "
— Diane, 7/4/2011 -
" Very good, but you know the end can't turn out well for anyone. "
— Brenda, 4/6/2011 -
" A little unrealistic by the end of the novel. Starts out very realistically. "
— Liz, 2/28/2011 -
" Jane, here's another one you will like=) "
— Tracy, 2/27/2011 -
" This book happens to be set in Tennessee, with an emphasis on the relationships between tobacco farmers and share croppers in the early 1900's. It's definitely a page turner that keeps you guessing on what's ultimately going to happen. Highly recommended. "
— Lauri, 1/18/2011
About Francine Thomas Howard
Francine Thomas Howard is the author of Page from a Tennessee Journal and Paris Noire. She left a rewarding career in pediatric occupational therapy to pursue her first love: writing. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her family.