Cane River

By: Lalita Tademy

Narrated by: Shari Belafonte, Edwina Moore, JoMarie Payton

A New York Times bestseller and Oprah's Book Club Pick-the unique and deeply moving saga of four generations of African-American women whose journey from slavery to freedom begins on a Creole plantation in Louisiana.

Beginning with her great-great-great-great grandmother, a slave owned by a Creole family, Lalita Tademy chronicles four generations of strong, determined black women as they battle injustice to unite their family and forge success on their own terms. They are women whose lives begin in slavery, who weather the Civil War, and who grapple with contradictions of emancipation, Jim Crow, and the pre-Civil Rights South. As she peels back layers of racial and cultural attitudes, Tademy paints a remarkable picture of rural Louisiana and the resilient spirit of one unforgettable family.

There is Elisabeth, who bears both a proud legacy and the yoke of bondage... her youngest daughter, Suzette, who is the first to discover the promise-and heartbreak-of freedom... Suzette's strong-willed daughter Philomene, who uses a determination born of tragedy to reunite her family and gain unheard-of economic independence... and Emily, Philomene's spirited daughter, who fights to secure her children's just due and preserve their dignity and future.

Meticulously researched and beautifully written, Cane River presents a slice of American history never before seen in such piercing and personal detail.

Critic reviews

"Extraordinary... illuminates the soul of heritage... historical fiction of the highest order."—Philadelphia Enquirer

"Evocative and convincing."—The Washington Post Book World

"Astonishing... bold, breathtaking, and unforgettable."—Essence

"A long-overdue response to Alex Haley's Roots."—San Francisco Chronicle

Battle between white and colour....

I was alittle hesitant about this book. But knowing it was on Oprahs list I thought I'd give it a try. Absolutely believable. A fascinating listen about a family of 'coloured' people and their struggle to become 'normal and accepted'in the late 1800's/1900's. Whilst listening you feel yourself becoming a part of this family and hoping that they would win the battle between white and coloured people. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Started alittle slow I thought but definately glad I continued, infact found myself not wanting to 'put it down'!!

One of my favorite books

I love this book. And the voice performers really bring it to life… I, like many black people in America don’t know the stories of my ancestors who were enslaved and who fought so that future generations would have a chance.

Love this story!!

I have read this book several times and it gets better every time. Wish the audible wouldn’t have been abridged because I get like it lost a bit of itself but the story is still there and in tact and is beautifully written. Will listen to again as it is shorter and I can enjoy it again as much as the paper copy itself.

Celebrity narrators

The story had potential but missed the opportunity to talk about the nuances of colorism in antebellum Louisiana.
Jo Marie Payton and Shari Belefonte are amazing women but awful narrators. They missed the mark on a lot of their sections. Also, they spoke way too fast and stumbled through the French names.

Cane River

Wonderful story and narration. As a white women, I felt a part of this family. I would have given 5 stars except that it ends abruptly. It seemed as if the author just ran out of paper.