The Undertaker's Assistant by Amanda Skenandore
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Kensington Publishing Corp.
eBook & Paperback; 304 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound
Praise for Amanda Skenandore and Between Earth and Sky
“Gripping and beautifully written, Between Earth and Sky tugs at the heart with its dynamic heroine and unique cast of characters. Though this novel brings alive two historical American eras and settings, the story is achingly modern, universal and important.” --Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The It Girls“Intensely emotional. . . . Skenandore’s deeply introspective and moving novel will appeal to readers of American history, particularly those interested in the dynamics behind the misguided efforts of white people to better the lives Native American by forcing them to adopt white cultural mores.” --Publishers Weekly
“A masterfully written novel about the heart-wrenching clash of two American cultures . . . a fresh and astonishing debut.” --V.S. Alexander, author of The Magdalen Girls and The Taster “By describing its costs in human terms, the author shapes tension between whites and Native Americans into a touching story. The title of Skenandore’s debut could refer to reality and dreams, or to love and betrayal; all are present in this highly original novel.” --Booklist
“A heartbreaking story about the destructive legacy of the forced assimilation of Native American children. Historical fiction readers and book discussion groups will find much to ponder here.” --Library Journal “At its heart, this luminous book tells a Romeo and Juliet story. But Skenandore’s book is so much more than a simple romance. This novel examines the complex relationship between love and loss, culture and conquest, annihilation and assimilation.” --Historical Novel Society
About the Author
Amanda Skenandore is a historical fiction writer and registered nurse. Between Earth and Sky was her first novel. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Readers can visit her website at www.amandaskenandore.com.
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My Review
Effie Jones is a young black freedwoman whose primary goal is to find her family and the past she has forgotten, and survive in a time of turmoil. Her memories before her rescue by an Army surgeon and his wife are pretty scarce. She takes the place of their daughter who died and the surgeon gives her a good education, including being an embalmer. So she searches for a family that may be nonexistent.
She is employed by a white undertaker in New Orleans which to some people is an oddity. But someone has to do it and as she has the skills, it is what she does as she feels that she doesn't know anything else, even though she is highly educated for a black woman in the South.
She lives in a boarding house for young women but keeps pretty much to herself. Until that is when she meets state legislator named Samson Greene where she enters a world of politics, protests, activism, soirees and where racism is the norm. She also forms a female friendship with Adeline, a young Creole who has no clue about poverty. The more she listens to Samson talk the more she falls in love with him. Effie finds that she is interested in the politics of the time, but more interested in Samson. But fate is not in her favor as she is betrayed by those she loves, which leads to tragedy and bloodbath.
This story takes place post Civil War where even though the slaves were freed, racism abounds, so are they really free? What I found interesting was not only the fact that there were women embalmers/undertaker assistants and that there were quite a few black officeholders in government. The author did such a great job with describing New Orleans This novel was very entertaining and informative. I rarely give a book 5 stars but this one is right up there. I highly recommend this book!
I received a copy of the book for review purposes only.
Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, July 23
Review at The Lit Bitch
Review at Broken Teepee
Wednesday, July 24
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at Reading the Past
Interview at Jathan & Heather
Review at Suzy Approved Book Reviews
Thursday, July 25
Review at Jennifer Tar Heel Reader
Interview at Let Them Read Books
Friday, July 26
Review at Orange County Readers
Saturday, July 27
Feature at Donna’s Book Blog
Monday, July 29
Review at Macsbooks
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Tuesday, July 30
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Review at Melissa Reads
Wednesday, July 31
Review at McCombs on Main
Interview at Jorie Loves A Story
Thursday, August 1
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review at Clarissa Reads it All
Friday, August 2
Review at Based on a True Story
Saturday, August 3
Feature at Mama’s Reading Corner
Monday, August 5
Review at Bibliophile Reviews
Tuesday, August 6
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Review at LadyJ’s Bookish Nook
Wednesday, August 7
Review at A Bookish Affair
Thursday, August 8
Review at Comet Readings
Saturday, August 10
Feature at What Is That Book About
Monday, August 12
Review at Cover To Cover Cafe
Tuesday, August 13
Review at Reader then Blogger
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time
Wednesday, August 14
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Thursday, August 15
Review & Interview at Passages to the Past
Review at The Lit Bitch
Review at Broken Teepee
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at Reading the Past
Interview at Jathan & Heather
Review at Suzy Approved Book Reviews
Review at Jennifer Tar Heel Reader
Interview at Let Them Read Books
Review at Orange County Readers
Feature at Donna’s Book Blog
Review at Macsbooks
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Review at Melissa Reads
Review at McCombs on Main
Interview at Jorie Loves A Story
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review at Clarissa Reads it All
Review at Based on a True Story
Feature at Mama’s Reading Corner
Review at Bibliophile Reviews
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Review at LadyJ’s Bookish Nook
Review at A Bookish Affair
Review at Comet Readings
Feature at What Is That Book About
Review at Cover To Cover Cafe
Review at Reader then Blogger
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Review & Interview at Passages to the Past
Thanks for the great review, Kathleen! We appreciate you hosting the tour!
ReplyDeleteAmy
HF Virtual Book Tours
You are welcome Amy!
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