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The Wedding Gift  By  cover art

The Wedding Gift

By: Marlen Suyapa Bodden
Narrated by: Jenna Lamia, January LaVoy
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Publisher's summary

When Cornelius Allen gives his daughter Clarissa’s hand in marriage, he presents her with a wedding gift: the young slave she grew up with, Sarah. Sarah is also Allen’s daughter and Clarissa’s sister, a product of his longtime relationship with his house slave, Emmeline. When Clarissa’s husband suspects that their newborn son is illegitimate, Clarissa and Sarah are sent back to her parents, Cornelius and Theodora, in shame, setting in motion a series of events that will destroy this once-powerful family.

Told through alternating viewpoints of Sarah and Theodora Allen, Cornelius’ wife, The Wedding Gift is a stunning novel that shows where the complicated and compelling bonds and relationships between women explored in novels like The Help and The Secret Life of Bees began. Marlen Suyapa Bodden's novel is an intimate portrait that shows where this particular American story and dynamic all started and will leave listeners breathless.

Includes a reading group guide read by the author.

©2013 Marlen Suyapa Bodden (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

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GOOD BOOK

What did you love best about The Wedding Gift?

******** ________ ++++++++

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wedding Gift?

******** ________ ++++++++

What does Jenna Lamia and January LaVoy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

******** ________ ++++++++

If you could rename The Wedding Gift, what would you call it?

******** ********

Any additional comments?

******** ******** ********

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

could have been much better

This book leaves me with a sense of lost opportunity - it is good, but could have been much better. The characters needed more "fleshing out". The surprise ending left a bad taste in my mouth - suddenly, I did not like the main character because of her actions. Indeed, several of the characters did not seem believable due to their contradictory actions. I could not reconcile the image of Mr Allen, cruel and violent plantation owner, with his action of freeing some of his slaves and anticipating their every need, after his death. Overall, I feel disappointed, even tricked, by the surprise ending. The narrator for Sarah did a superb job. The second narrator(Theodora Allen) was not good with male voices.
Honestly, I don't know if I recommend this book. On one hand, it captured me, on the other hand, disappointed.

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A great story of triumph.

I can't believe this book isn't as promoted as other best sellers.
I really enjoyed it.
This is a story of a family born and raised in slavery. One young girl uses her smarts to outwit her slave owner and become free. In the last minute of the book, a secret is revealed and it'll have you thinking 'hmm, I didn't know that. She's clever'.
I hope you enjoy it.

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LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!

From start to finish I just LOVED this book!!!! Didnt suspect the ending! Did O mention I loved it??

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Excellent!

I bought this story based on Sunny Hostin's review on The View. The way she raved about the book peaked my interest. Well all I can say is WOW!!! Period. Enjoy!

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Wow don't miss this one!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book was so rich with characters. The narration by two readers was so spot on and really helped immerse me in another time and place. I truly could not stop listening.

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Not the typical historical slave story

Would you listen to The Wedding Gift again? Why?

I don't usually reread or re-listen to books but this was an awesome book.

Which character – as performed by Jenna Lamia and January LaVoy – was your favorite?

Cant name just one. I loved the narration of sarah and how she changed as she aged. I loved the narration of the men in the story(the lawyer, uncle Charles, the slaves on the plantation)
The accents in narration from those living in the south, to those in the islands

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I usually only listen to Audio books while in my car to pass time as I drive a lot throughout the day for work. However, this book I listed to at home while cleaning, while laying in bed, while surfing the net.

Any additional comments?

Great book! I skipped over this book for several months because I have read plenty "slave trade/slave escape, tracing roots back to slavery type books and just wasn't inclined to read another one. Although this books plot was based around slavery it took on a different path from different perspectives. This is a great read

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GREAT READ!!! ENJOYED EVERY PAGE!!

Sarah's run to freedom! Her marriage and husband and his children completed her. Great Read

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Phenomenal

From The View Sunny Hostin's summer read list.
Spectacular book Sunny. What's next? Can"t wait!

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  • 06-09-22

Sooo good!

I wish the author wrote more books like this story. I wish they were available here. We need more antebellum stories.

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