Under the Tulip Tree
Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee, published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. in 2020, is a historical fiction novel that explores the complexities of race and personal growth during the Great Depression. At the heart of the story is sixteen-year-old Lorena Leland, whose aspirations of becoming a writer are challenged by the harsh realities of her life in Tennessee. As she takes on a job interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers’ Project, she encounters Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman with a poignant past that forces Rena to confront her family’s history and her own beliefs.
Readers will find a narrative that intertwines the lives of Rena and Frankie, highlighting themes of faith, injustice, and reconciliation. The novel features dual timelines that enrich character development and provide a nuanced perspective on the Civil War era and its aftermath. As Rena learns about Frankie’s experiences, the bond that forms between them transcends their differences, leading to unexpected revelations that challenge their understanding of each other. This edition spans 400 pages and is presented in English, inviting readers to engage with a story that reflects on the enduring impact of history and personal connections.
Official synopsis Publisher
A story waits to be told. When a young woman in Tennessee begins to write it down, what she discovers will change her forever.
Sixteen-year-old Lorena Leland’s dreams of a rich and fulfilling life as a writer are dashed when the stock market crashes in 1929. Seven years into the Great Depression, Rena’s banker father has retreated into the bottle, her sister is married to a lazy charlatan and gambler, and Rena is an unemployed newspaper reporter. Eager for any writing job, Rena accepts a position interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers’ Project. There, she meets Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman whose honest yet tragic past captivates Rena.
As Frankie recounts her life as a slave and the events of the Civil War, Rena is horrified to learn of all the older woman has endured―especially because Rena’s ancestors owned slaves. While Frankie’s story challenges Rena’s preconceptions about slavery, it also connects the two women whose lives are otherwise separated by age, race, and circumstances. But will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming?
- Christian historical fiction from the award-winning author of Appalachian Song
- Features dual timelines with rich character development
- A nuanced and relevant tale of faith, facing injustice, and reconciliation
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