Read Runners discussion

Blurb

When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family. Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.

Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.

Join us this month as we read and discuss this book. Please use spoiler tags where necessary

Signing in. Just searched out the book, looked at the blurbs etc. Serious reading will start tomorrow (along with Final Empire).

I will start tomorrow.:)

Am in chapter six and its been a good experience so far. I haven't read only one book om slavery and that was invention of wings. There is striking difference between both book, at least till now.

(view spoiler)[Belle's relation with Captain was really shocking. Who does that to his own daughter? Make her a slave and reluctant to give her freedom? But I liked how slaves were treated. There is almost no harsh behavior towards them and they are taken care of.

Marshall"s hatred for Belle gave me an idea of different kind of relation between James and her but when truth was revealed, I was surprised. Does Martha knows about it? I can't wait to find.

Belle's likeness for Ben is going to bring a storm in this happy household, I expecting this. I don't think James wil be very happy about it and all irritation and anger for withholdingBelle's freedom papers will cause a huge rift between the master and slaves.

I don't get where this household is situated. Did I miss it or it was never mentioned? (hide spoiler)]

Started this but have paused it for now. Will resume later today. From what I have read, it seems to be a fast read.

After 19 chapters, am quite liking this tale. I am terrified by Rankin.

(view spoiler)[Sally's death was the most unfortunate event so far and how deeply it effected every in the house. Tutor was a horrible person and I don't know why Marshall was so reluctant to talk about it before Sally's death. After that I can understand it was difficult for him to open up. But had he spoken up earlier, Sally might have been alive now.

And why didn't James have told Martha about Belle? I know he can't tell her the truth but he could have made up a story to save Belle from Martha and Marshall's hatred.

I loved how Martha stood up for her slaves. Never thought she'd do that for anyone else except Dory. But she did that and I admired her the more after that. (hide spoiler)]

Just can't get into this book. I am in a reading slump of sorts, so won't be reading this one! :(

Srividya wrote: "Just can't get into this book. I am in a reading slump of sorts, so won't be reading this one! :("

Me too. Sorry Manju.

its okay.:)