I absolutely loved this book! This historical fiction debut novel for Leo Daughtry does an excellent job at capturing the social and economic challenges for Eastern North Carolina in the 1950’s and 1960’s. A lot of my family is from that area, and lived there around that time, so it was really interesting to hear a novel based on that region, in a setting close to what it may have been like for them. I do wish some parts went into more detail, such as Jake’s early years in Philadelphia, and Will Craddock (keeping these examples vague so as to not give anything away), but all in all, I really enjoyed this book and it’s definitely one I will find myself thinking of now that it’s done.

TALMADGE FARM by Leo Daughtry

Narration by Justine Price was nicely done.

Thank you NetGalley and Books Fluent for the audiobook

3.5 stars
A debut historical fiction novel set amid the tobacco fields in 1950s and 1960s, North Carolina. Wealthy landowner, Gordon Talmadge, lives a lavish lifestyle he inherited. He has two sharecroppers, one white and one black. These two sharecroppers have big dreams for their children. An attack by the landowners son, Junior, sets off a chain of events in this sweeping drama following three families navigating the changing times of the diverse and complex history of the south.

The characters are well developed and I liked Leo Daughtry’s simple style of writing. This was a decent debut and I look forward to more from Leonard Daughtry. Touching upon family, segregation, racism, rape, misogyny, vulnerability, tobacco farming, migrants, resilience, and reconciliation.

Well developed characters and this is a well researched story. Excellent use of multiple PIV and the story flows well. This is an impressive debut novel.

Thsnks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook