The Filling Station

A Novel

De: Vanessa Miller

Narrado por: Angel Pean

"The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre is, shockingly, little more than a footnote in history . . . Miller's book, thankfully, reverses that egregious oversight . . . we viscerally learn how this vibrant Black community fought devastation with resilience, faith, and grit." --Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Two sisters. One unassuming haven. Endless opportunities for grace.

Sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice have grown up in the prosperous Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma--also known as Black Wall Street. In Greenwood, the Justice sisters had it all--movie theaters and entertainment venues, beauty shops and clothing stores, high-profile businesses like law offices, medical clinics, and banks. While Evelyn aspires to head off to the East Coast to study fashion design, recent college grad Margaret plans to settle in Greenwood, teaching at the local high school and eventually raising a family.

Then the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre upends everything they know and brings them unspeakable loss. Left with nothing but each other, the sisters flee along what would eventually become iconic Route 66 and stumble upon the Threatt Filling Station, a safe haven and the only place where they can find a shred of hope in oppressive Jim Crow America. At the filling station, they are able to process their pain, fill up their souls, and find strength as they wrestle with a faith in God that has left them feeling abandoned.

But they eventually realize that they can't hide out at the filling station when Greenwood needs to be rebuilt. The search for their father and their former life may not give them easy answers, but it can propel them--and their community--to a place where their voices are stronger . . . strong enough to build a future that honors the legacy of those who were lost.

"The Tulsa Race Massacre is rarely covered in historical fiction, and this story is an absolutely worthy addition to the genre." --Booklist Starred Review

"In a novel that should be required reading, Miller movingly explores the aftermath of racial trauma and how resilient people can open their hearts again." --Library Journal Starred Review

©2025 Vanessa Miller (P)2025 Thomas Nelson

The powerful resiliency of a community

Author Vanessa Miller wrote a masterpiece depiction with grace, respect and creativity! I not only was able to visualize the economic agility of a black-owned community that pulled their neighbors' up by the bootstraps, but also to visualize the strength of a community that continued to be a pillar of fortitude to rebuild and ignite a stronger movement of ' we won't be erased!'
I enjoyed " The Filling Station" so much, I am excitedly shouting out praises and recommendations in as many literary platforms and social media outlets as I possibly can!
It not only teaches history, but also the valuable principals of Greenwood's residents pride and collective community stand in the midst of adversity and despicable acts.
I can't say enough about Author Vanessa Miller's extraordinary gifts and talents of the written word!

Amazing

Vanessa Miller has done it again amazing amazing. This book I could not put it down after I got started with it.

The resilience of the survivors!

Life can be very hard for some and what the people in Greenwood experience was one of the most horrific things that anyone should have have to ever go through, but I loved how despite everyone in government and political officials and even the those that are that we’re supposed to protect and serve let them all down and even try to make things harder for them they never gave up.

Wow!!!

This book was so well written. The history of this country often leaves me speechless. This book was amazing.

The historical insight that Vanessa Miller so carefully brought to light. A story rarely told.

Highly recommended. The story will capture your attention from the first word spoken to the very last.