Thursday, February 23, 2023

The Tobacco Wives- Book Review

 

woman in fields
The Tobacco Wives- A Book Review

This thought-provoking historical novel takes us to North Carolina in 1946.  We are introduced to a small town that is reliant on the tobacco industry and the pride the community takes in the industry. During the war the community survived by the women taking the place of the men who normally worked in the tobacco factories. We are also introduced to the wealthy women who are the wives of the tobacco company executives.

The Book on Amazon



The Story

We are introduced to the community of Bright Leaf by Maddie, a young girl who is brought to live with her Aunt Etta. Maddie has visited her aunt in the summers for several years and has learned from her how to be a seamstress.  This year, however, is different when her mother unexpectedly drops her off much earlier at a time when Etta is very busy sewing gowns for the wealthy women to wear to the annual Gala. When Aunt Etta suddenly falls ill, Maddie is tasked with being the lead dressmaker and in getting all of the gowns ready for the Gala.  

Maddie is enjoying her challenge as the dressmaker and even starting to feel comfortable working with the wealthy women of Bright Leaf till she discovers some of the secrets of the small town. She now has to worry about how much she should say and just who she can trust.

This book is a very interesting look at activism of women in the post war era and how the freedom they were given during the war years changes how they see life.    It is a book that shows the courage of a young woman and the challenges she faces.

My Recommendation

I really enjoyed this book and once I got started felt I could not put it down.  Maddie was such a delightful character who became real in the pages of the book.  I would highly recommend this book and also feel it would be a great book to read in with a book club.





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


5 comments:

  1. The Tobacco Wives sounds like a great historical fiction, and one that I would enjoy reading. The fact that Maddie and Aunt Etta are dressmakers is very appealing to me. I do know a lot of women had to go outside of the home to work during the wars. I have always applauded their strength of mind and character to step out and take on those challenges.

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  2. This does sound like an interesting story. I have always been fascinated with life during and just after World War II, both the history of the war and what life was like for the women and children left at home when their men went off to war. Thanks for introducing me to 'The Tobacco Wives'.

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  3. This sounds like a wonderful historical novel, one of my favorite literary genres. The themes of class disparities, the war and small-town secrets could make for a very compelling story.

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  4. Sounds like an excellent historical fiction novel - I do love this genre. The book sounds gripping; I believe this one would hold my attention!

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  5. The Tobacco Wives sounds like a lovely, interesting, historical novel. Maddie sounds such a wonderful character! I think I would enjoy reading it very much.

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