River Sing Me Home: A GMA Book Club Pick

By: Eleanor Shearer

Narrated by: Debra Michaels, Eleanor Shearer

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • This beautiful, page-turning and redemptive story of a mother’s gripping journey across the Caribbean to find her stolen children and piece her family back together is a “celebration of motherhood and female resilience” (The Observer).

Named One of Time’s 100 Must-Read Books of 2023 • A Dayton Literary Peace Prize Finalist

“A powerful novel that explores how freedom and family are truly defined”—Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian

Her search begins with an ending.…

The master of the Providence plantation in Barbados gathers his slaves and announces the king has decreed an end to slavery. As of the following day, the Emancipation Act of 1834 will come into effect. The cries of joy fall silent when he announces that they are no longer his slaves; they are now his apprentices. No one can leave. They must work for him for another six years. Freedom is just another name for the life they have always lived. So Rachel runs.

Away from Providence, she begins a desperate search to find her children—the five who survived birth and were sold. Are any of them still alive? Rachel has to know. The grueling, dangerous journey takes her from Barbados then, by river, deep into the forest of British Guiana and finally across the sea to Trinidad. She is driven on by the certainty that a mother cannot be truly free without knowing what has become of her children, even if the answer is more than she can bear. These are the stories of Mary Grace, Micah, Thomas Augustus, Cherry Jane and Mercy. But above all this is the story of Rachel and the extraordinary lengths to which a mother will go to find her children...and her freedom.

A heartbreakingly beautiful story

I was deeply touched by the characters and the story line. It is well written and well narrated.

Just learned a piece of our history

This was a sad and sweet story depicting the strength of island women. Realizing I quite liked the setting.

Welcome to perseverance

Heartfelt story. Empowering women of all colors. Welcome to perseverance would be a great title too.

Inspiring and beautiful

Eloquently written and a story that should not be forgotten. Precious children were stolen from their families. A mother’s love will ensure a reunion against all perils. Thank you for the beautiful story especially now when history is being hidden from our children.

The dedication to reuniting the family; acceptance on each persons choices

Authentic dialog; compassion; and love wins over many obstacles; triumph over nature and its many
hazards

Another history lesson that I was never taught about slavery and the Caribbbean

The characters, especially Rachel, had me living through their experiences with them.
The book was well written and the authors epilogue was powerful.

Beautiful story!

I definitely recommend this book. It is beautifully written. The author has really captured the history of the slaves in the Caribbean.

Powerful in simple words

I loved this book. It’s so powerful in the most simple of ways. There were times Rachel spoke, and my heart ached for her. It speaks to the power of women of color, and a mother’s endless love for her children. I highly recommend this book!

Brutal and beautiful

The audio version is full of grace and emotion. Beautifully rendered. Heartfelt and gripping story.

Great realistic untold story

Great plot with untold historical facts. Slow at first but worth it. Highly recommended read.