What a timely release this is.

Red Clay begins in 1943 with the funeral of Felix H. Parker, a Black man who began life as a slave and ending it as a “free man” during Jim Crow. A lone white woman is present at the funeral, and later shows up at the Parker family home stating her family had once owned Felix’s. Readers are thus taken a journey through history, peeling back every gritty layer of both family’s shared past no matter how painful.

This book was not at all what I expected, but in the best way. It is fast-paced, twisty, and incredibly gripping unlike any historical fiction I’ve ever read. I don’t want to say more, because I don’t want to even hint at what’s to come.

Red Clay is about seeking answers rather than spinning our own rose-colored narratives, no matter how uncomfortable and distressing those answers may be. It’s about flinging the door wide open rather than pretending there isn’t one. And ultimately, this is a story about humanity and connection in the face of injustice. Even if you’re not a historical fiction fan, read this one.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the gifted eARC!

This is a sweeping historical fiction novel that introduces the reader to multiple generations.
This one took a while to get into and is an investment of time, but well worth the engagement and effort.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

poignant and heartfelt book of historical fiction that provides the sometiems hard to stomach reality of the situation. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

The captivating tale begins in 1943 at the funeral of Felix Parker, a Black man who left a significant mark on his hometown of Red Clay, Alabama. An unfamiliar elderly white woman is seen at the service and appears at the family home the following day, introducing herself as Addie Parker. She tells Felix's granddaughter, Eileen, "A lifetime ago, my family owned yours." Shifting back to 1864, Felix is eight years old, and he and his parents are enslaved by John Robert Parker, Addie's father, who foresees the South's impending loss in the Civil War and the end of slavery. Once Felix and his parents gain their freedom, the period of Reconstruction presents numerous hardships and challenges. Despite the difficulties, Felix grows into a man determined to make a life for himself. In the present day, Addie provides Felix's family with crucial insights into his life and explains why she made the trip to attend his funeral.

Journalist Charles B. Fancher has drawn from his family background to create his first novel. Red Clay is an outstanding debut. The experiences of those who were initially enslaved and later endured Jim Crow are marked by both heartbreak and triumph. This is a fully immersive and unforgettable book.

this was a pretty good book. I do like books that bring up and show perspective into the challenging times people of color had in the past. I hope more people read more of these books and open their minds and be more accepting

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

**Features:**
- Follows the life of a man from an enslaved child to successful free man
- Historical fiction that focuses primarily on the end of the Civil War through the Reconstruction Era and Jim Crow
- Authentically captures both the dark and hopeful moments of history in an engaging and heartfelt way
- A story about family and human connection at its heart

**Synopsis:**

Eileen’s grandfather Felix was not a particularly private man, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have his fair share of secrets. Eileen was willing to let the parts of himself Felix chose not to share be buried with him, but that was before Adelaide Parker showed up on the family’s doorstep after Felix’s funeral claiming to be part of a family that had once owned Eileen’s. Adelaide has come searching for answers and is willing to share some of her own as well. Their two worlds come together as they share the complicated story of the man that connects them.

**Thoughts:**

This is a singularly remarkable book that will stay with me for a long time. Fancher draws heavily from his own family history as well as other accounts to create a beautiful literary piece that speaks to the historical period it covers as well as any biography could. It’s hard to put into words exactly what created the magic for me, but I was captivated from the start.

The story focuses mainly on Felix Parker, his family, and the people that surround them at various points in their life. The story is told through many different perspectives, but Felix is always connected to the events unfolding. Despite his constant presence, Felix is often in the periphery and many other characters are given moments to shine. It is hard to put into words, but Felix feels like a touchstone for the reader in a way that is incredibly effective. I grew to love most of the other characters as well and was deeply invested in their journey. My only critique is that it never fully circles back to Adelaide the family members that are supposed to be sharing this tale.

I personally have not come across many books that focus on the Reconstruction Era and Jim Crow so directly. Those that I have come across will feature a couple of key aspects while the true ‘messiness’ of the time plays out in the background. This book provides an honest and complicated depiction of what it was like to live through this period of social upheaval that brought out both the best and worst of humanity. Though often dark and difficult, this is ultimately a story of family and human connection despite adversity.

My sloppy writing does not do this book justice, but trust me…this is a phenomenal must read!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, Inc. for providing this book in exchange for an honest review!

Red Clay is a historical fiction novel covering the end of the Civil War through the 1940s. Set in Alabama, it follows a family from their time as enslaved people through emancipation and into modern times. The story was fast paced and totally engaging making it hard to put down. The story was told from varying points of view and did not sugar coat slavery nor the times after. I would love another book that focused on additional characters mentioned in this book. It seems their stories have more to say. I highly recommend for those that enjoy historical fiction, particularly stories set during the Civil War.

Very powerful read in what it's depicting. Felt similar to those in similar genre and that have gone on to have recent success.
The writing is relevant but not overly accessible and drags here and there. Do not expect a quick read, but appreciated the impact.

This was a beautiful debut novel! When I found out that this was based on the author's family history, I was even more impressed. The writing was really engaging and definitely what I'd consider a page turner. It contains difficult themes surrounding slavery and living in the South immediately post-Civil War. My only critique of this book is that Addie's story felt a bit rushed - I wish I got more closure when it came to her end of things.

4 ⭐️ I really enjoyed this story of Felix Parker, and his parents Elmira and Plessant. Felix was born a slave on the Parker Plantation in AL, where his parents were the cook and valet to generations of the family.

Told from multiple timelines, we learn of the fate of Felix and his family told by Addie Parker ( daughter of Claude Parker) after Felix’ death.

I found myself thoroughly invested in the trials and tribulations, triumphs and tragedies of the Parker family pre and post Civil War. Well developed characters and an interesting storyline made this one hard to put down.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Very well written, fast paced and made you want to keep reading. Would definitely recommend especially in our current times

This was such a powerful read. With strong characters and a eye opening and heartbreaking story line. It had me engrossed from the first chapter.

Thank you NetGalley, Charles B. Fancher, and Blackstone Publishing for giving me access to this eARC!

This was an incredibly powerful novel. I was completely engrossed by the story of Felix, his family, and his friends in Red Clay, Alabama. Although this was a fictional novel, Fancher drew from the real experiences of his great-grandfather as well as the real history of slaves and plantation in the South. This made for an incredibly poignant and heartfelt read, although it was difficult to stomach at times (as is the history in general). I found myself moved to tears at many points, gasping, and rejoicing with the characters as they made their way through life. Fancher's writing is very beautiful, succinct, and descriptive. I did not feel like anything was left out or that anything excess was left in. I appreciated that the focus of the novel was on Felix rather than on Addie and the Parker family. Too many historical fiction novels focus on white saviours but Fancher just focused on the human being in general.

The only thing that was lacking for me in this book actually does relate to Addie. I wanted more of a conclusion to her story with Etienne and wanted to know more about Isabelle and Alexandre as well as how life went for Elmira once she went back to New Orleans. She was a very beloved character for me.

4/5 stars and would definitely read more from Fancher!

This is a book that spans generations and how one girl’s view on slavery has to be told as she is now old and the slave boy she once fed like a dog has just died. The woman’s lesson has now brought her full circle and she is now ready to tell the story to the man’s kin. I am sure the family was a bit shocked when the woman starts with “a long time ago my family owned yours”.
But it is a story that needs to be told and listened too. This book is so good it should quickly fill spots in libraries and book stores. I really like how the characters grew and matured much sooner than one would think possible in Alabama during slave times. This is a story that truly needs to heard.

A beautiful and at times difficult read about the life of a young slave, his family, his "owners" and his legacy.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc of this upcoming title.

This is such a literary tour de force. Its a vivid multigenerational saga and it holds nothing back. In the likeness of other stories within its genre, it takes its time telling a story. This is beautiful, however this is not a quick read.

3.5

Red Clay follows the lives of a formerly enslaved family on the Road’s End Plantation in Red Clay, Alabama. I love historical fiction that uses a dual timeline to convey the past's impact on the main character's future. Charles B. Fancher’s beautiful prose created characters I loved profoundly and settings and situations I loathed even more. Essentially, the novel encapsulates the resilience of enslaved people, fueled by the love of their families and themselves and a desire for liberation by any means necessary. This book does not stereotype (which is immensely refreshing ). It educates. It illustrates the darkest parts of American history. It determines that Black History is American History. It forces readers to consider their humanity and the humanity of those around them. It is what historical fiction should be and a prototype of required reading for all Americans.

Red Clay is a powerful and beautifully crafted novel that captivated me from the first page. Charles B. Fancher’s writing is both poetic and raw, perfectly capturing the complexity of the human experience in the context of a small Southern town. The characters are vividly drawn, with deep emotional arcs that made me feel their struggles and triumphs. Fancher weaves themes of family, loyalty, and redemption into a story that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. The rich, atmospheric setting brings the world of Red Clay to life, making the novel feel almost like a living, breathing entity. This story will stay with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a profoundly moving and unforgettable read. A truly remarkable debut!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reading copy. I thoroughly enjoyed the page turner. Difficult historical elements throughout the book. I loved the characters.
I will definitely recommend this book for both its entertainment and historical aspects. Well written.
All opinions are my own.

Very strong sense of place and time. I find that a lot of historical fiction I read featuring enslaved characters don't often delve too much into the Reconstruction Era. I appreciate that this book is an honest look at that period and doesn't treat Emancipation as "happily ever after" for those who were formerly enslaved. I would have liked to have learned a little more about Felix's daughter and granddaughter who we seem to only serve to set up the framing narrative and flashbacks.

TW: Violence and use of the "n" word.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advanced reader e-book.