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.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for an advanced copy of Red Clay. Charles Francher does an outstanding job weaving together the lives of an African American family and their white owners. A fast paced novel which showcases how through much pain and adversity humans can find hope and compassion. A great read and worth the time !

Red Clay is a biographical look back at the life of Felix from Civil War era slave to a successful free man. At Felix’s funeral, his family notice a white woman in attendance. She has come to find out what ultimately happened to Felix. Felix and his family were owned by a fair plantation owner who seems to really take care of his ‘property’. But then an incident in Felix’s young life with the owner, sets in motion a secret that will influence his entire life. The story is fast paced and unpredictable which makes you want to keep reading.

i accidentally reviewed another book with a title similar to this one. i haven't read this yet and will come back here and review this book after i have