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 !

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.

**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 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.