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Before We Were Yours
- Narrated by: Catherine Taber, Emily Rankin
- Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins
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Before We Were Yours
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Summary
Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family's Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge, until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents - but they quickly realize the dark truth....
Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family's long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.
Based on one of America's most notorious real-life scandals, in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country, Before We Were Yours is a riveting, wrenching and ultimately uplifting tale.
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What listeners say about Before We Were Yours
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bear G
- 03-10-19
Great listen
I really enjoyed this book. The best listen I’ve had in ages. I’d recommend it to anyone
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- amy
- 09-10-19
Loved it
Was very moved by half of the story. The love story was unnecessary and bored me . The boat children stayed with me and I enjoyed their parts.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Milly63
- 23-01-19
A beautifull told tale about families and secrets
An intriguing plot.Interesting characters.Excellent storytelling. Beautiful descriptions of river life. Hearbreaking in parts
Highly recommended
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms R.
- 12-10-18
Wonderful
A moving and richly detailed story that stands as fiction but is shocking as fact. The pace feels measured although a lot happens. The writing and performances were beautifully done.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Quirkyjay
- 06-09-18
Enthralling!
I really loved this book. It was heart breaking and heart warming all at the same time. Made all the more heart breaking by the fact that the back story is based on real events. Narration was excellent - would thoroughly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rosie @ 36
- 16-09-18
A beautifully written story.
The book carefully weaves the web through this amazing family history.
Sadly the authors’s note at the end reveals, although this was a work of fiction, the story could have been a true life story of literally thousands of children spanning several decades, under the hands of Georgia Tann
Child trafficking in ways most of us would never think possible.
A truly thought provoking read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jonny
- 05-03-20
A beautifully written, compellingly told story.
I could not stop listening to this book! I loved the interwieving of past and present and the complex and colourful characters. The story was both heartbreaking and hopeful. It's made all the more poignant but the fact that this is based on a true story, a story of horror but also of determination and love.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tracy Mott
- 26-06-22
Simply wonderful
Beautifully read, this book opens up the story of children as commodities during the American depression. Sounds like it could be hard going, but it is so well written, you just can’t stop listening! Ultimately uplifting and with a post-script authors note providing clarity and further sources. Highly recommend. If you love the intrigue of Rebecca, the mystery and beauty of Where the Crawdads Sing and have an open heart, this is the book for you!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 08-02-24
brilliant
I couldn't put this book down. it had me engaged the whole way through. The narrator was excellent also.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amy
- 22-01-18
thoroughly enjoyed it
Little bit slow to start but once it got going I was hooked.
I really enjoyed this story but it wasn't without it's faults. Rill's narration was far more interesting than Avery's, and I found Avery to be a little dense for such a smart woman.
The narration was great.
I think what I found most interesting was it was based on true events and since reading this book I've looked up a lot to do with the orphanage.
I would recommend this listen.
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23 people found this helpful