Opening the story in 1943 with the funeral of family patriarch and grandfather Felix Parker, and the provocative statement by a frail, elderly white woman, Adelaide Parker, to the family afterwards, author Charles B. Fancher expertly recreates the historical period and the lives of the Parker families at Road's End Plantation in Alabama from close to the end of the Civil War through Reconstruction. We see how the young Felix's enslaved family and peers navigate the tricky and dangerous situation on the plantation during the war, and how much is upended once people are freed.

Fancher follows the lives of both the white Parkers, and Felix's family through the years. In 1864, Road's End owner John Robert Parker ensnares Felix in a dangerous secret, which ensures the wealth of John Robert's family. Post-war, John Robert's son Charles manages the plantation, and does cope well when his former slaves progress quickly and happily with their lives without white interference.

Felix begins building his life and livelihood as a carpenter post-war, and we see a wonderfully complex portrayal of a man who knows the ever present danger of angry whites, and how tenuous his control over his and his family's lives might be, especially with the rising of the Klan during Reconstruction.

Fancher also gives us Felix's relationships with Elmira and Plessant, his parents, and his wife Zilpha. We see love, some strife, lots of struggle, but ultimately, a strong family bond that carries through the generations that follow.

We follow the white Parkers attempt to continue their privileged lives, and the changes to laws, and the use of violence, to protect their ill-gotten gains and disenfranchise the African Americans around them.

We also see a young Adelaide Parker, initially a self-absorbed and manipulative girl, open her eyes when exposed to a wider world, and make her own complicated choices, to the disgust of her family.

The story is full of great characters, and a well researched and well conveyed history of a complex time post-Civil war in America. Fancher doesn't shy away from showing different perspectives, no matter how ugly, of this period, and uses multiple characters' experiences to explore Reconstruction.

This was a moving and beautifully written, compelling novel. I was impressed by Fancher's characterization of Felix, and loved how, by focusing on the family, the author illuminated how people begin grappling with the US' ugly history.

I went back and forth between the prose and the audio of this novel, and the talented Dion Graham's skill at inhabiting characters was on full display. I'm familiar with this actor's work, and it was such a pleasure listening to many sections of this book through his wonderful acting.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Blackstone Publishing and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for these ARCs in exchange for my review.

4.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this story from the very first page. Fancher’s writing felt as if I was listening to my granny telling me about her upbringing. I found myself rooting for Felix, Plessant and Elmira through the whole story. I can’t wait to read what Charles writes next!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! This was a wonderful, moving debut novel set during the Reconstruction Era. I found myself reflecting on parallels with current day America as I read.

Thank you Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing Inc for my ARC. Red Clay is a historical fiction book about slavery. It starts at the end of the Civil War and ends at Reconstruction. It follows the life of Felix, a 9 year old slave and Addie his slave owner’s daughter. I highly recommend this book.

When Eileen Epps learns of her grandfather’s passing, she returns to her hometown of Red Clay to grieve and lay him to rest. While she knew some of his past, she never expected the missing pieces to be revealed by the most unexpected person.

From the moment I read the synopsis, I knew this was a story I had to experience—and it did not disappoint. This novel beautifully traces the life of Felix, from childhood to adulthood, showing how being born into slavery shaped not only his fate but also the lives of the family that owned him. This story one that’s is immersive and emotional.

For anyone looking to explore historical fiction, this book is an excellent place to start. It delivers on everything it promises and more. Highly recommended!

“I am Miss Adelaide Parker…. and a lifetime ago, my family owned yours.”

Prior to this startling revelation, Eileen has no knowledge of Addie Parker, or any of the family history her beloved grandfather, Felix, chose not to divulge. But after Felix’s funeral in 1943, she pays rapt attention to Addie’s long and soul-searching story. Back in 1864, John Robert Parker owned a plantation outside of Red Clay, Alabama. A studious gentleman more suited to an academic career, he renounced Princeton after the untimely death of his father. Portrayed as a good man with a hard edge, he can justify his ownership of slaves, but may one day have to salve his growing conscience, as the Civil War draws to a close. He adores his wife, Marie Louise and their three children—Jean Louis, who can’t escape plantation life fast enough; sixteen-year-old Claude, who eagerly awaits custodianship of his own property; and nine-year-old Addie, a peculiar girl with a sharp intelligence and a spiteful streak. On the property list, along with 1,100 acres, house, barn, and livestock, are household cook, Elmira; husband, Plessant, the master’s valet; and their eight-year-old son, Felix, all portrayed with credible dignity in the face of justifiable hatred. One memorable day in 1864, Felix is burdened with a secret, a burden no eight-year-old should have to bear.

Portrayals of Black, white, good and bad are multifaceted and convincing. Of particular note is the vindictiveness wrought by those who have nothing, against those they believe have more, explored through the abuse Felix experiences as a cotton-field water-carrier. Lies, secrets and double-dealing dominate, but there is also room for kindness and forgiveness. It is worth noting that Fancher places both narratives in times of war. Beginning as research into his great-grandfather’s life, Fancher has fictionalised a far-reaching tribute to everyone touched by the travesty of slavery.

Red Clay is an emotionally charged story that I simply did not want to put down. It’s historical fiction at its finest and is a deeply moving and tense story that grips your heart from the very first page. Through his powerful writing, Fancher takes you on an unforgettable journey through the layered complexities of love, legacy, and healing. His vivid storytelling transports you to the red-dust roads of the South, weaving together the past and present timelines effortlessly with a heart-wrenching plot. Despite the challenges these characters faced, I loved that the story still contained moments that brought on a sense of optimism for the characters’ futures.

I took this one slower than usual only because I really wanted to savor it which allowed me time to immerse myself into this story with these characters that I’ve found myself missing ever since I finished the book. 🤧

RED CLAY isn’t just a story—it’s a powerful reflection where Fancher uses his own family’s lineage to highlight the enduring impact of racial injustice across generations. 

Why You Should Read It:
💔 Deeply emotional and thought-provoking.
🫱🏻‍🫲🏾 Reconstruction Era efforts toward rebuilding unity and integrating formerly enslaved individuals into society.
🌾 Rich, atmospheric Southern setting that pulls you in.
🔄 A powerful story of redemption.
🆔 Captures the complexities of identity.
🌳 Stunning exploration of family, love, loss, and legacy.
🎯 Perfect for fans of historical fiction with a heart!

After finishing this book, I just realized this is the narrative I’ve been missing. I read a lot of historical fiction. US based and abroad. I cannot recall ever reading anything about the immediate aftermath of the emancipation proclamation. Often times, when I’ve read a book it feels like there should be more to the story or that something is missing. This is that something!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishes for the opportunity to enjoy this amazing family story. The author did an amazing job of showing grief and family struggles but how you can have hope and overcome. The author has a way to pull you in and make you feel and connect with the characters in such a beautiful way. I highly recommend this book and her previous book as well.

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