Under the Tulip Tree

By: Michelle Shocklee

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

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, 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?

©2020 Michelle Shocklee (P)2020 Tyndale House Publishers

Wonderful!

I’d give this book 6 out of 5 stars if I could! For the story and the performance!

Story is great, Narrator is fantastic!!!

Everyone should read/listen to this book. The narrator was so good. Every character was either easy to love or easy . .. not to love. So glad I listened.

Second time listening, liked it even better

I think what makes this book so good is the narration by Sarah Zimmerman. The storyline is excellent though. Learn about slavery at the time of the Civil War. They don’t teach the hard truths in History class, that’s for sure.

Loved it

Beautiful story of friendship and forgiveness! A winner in my opinions! Enjoyed the detailed descriptions

Best. Book. Ever.

Everyone should listen to or read this book. Riveting from the first moment. I couldn’t get enough. Smiles. Tears. Sobbing. Every emotion possible. Just read/listen to it!

Didn't want this one to end...

This one touched ALL the feelings. Roosevelt 's WPA programs brought work to many down and out people during the depression, and the one interviewing former slaves was one of the most interesting and most controversial. One woman's experiences during this time will keep you enthralled from beginning to end.

An amazing story

Sarah Zimmerman is on my short list of favorite narrators, which prompted my interest to this author. This is a historical fiction story at its finest with lots of emotion, incredible dialog, and fully developed characters I relate to. I wept when Frankie talked about the Civil War and her role in nursing the soldiers on both sides of the war. An extraordinary story told by a talented author.

couldn't stop listening

The best book I've listened to this year. It's worth the credit! My kids loved it too.

Fantastic Read

I cried and mouned and laughed. Vivid word crafting, heartwrenching and heartwarming. And perfectly narrated.

Gone with the Wind meets The Help

A lovely story full of history and heart. Set in Nashville TN during the Civil war and the Great Depression, Michelle Shockley did a masterful job of linking two national crisis’ and how people endured hardships. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans!