Cane River (Oprah's Book Club)

Wow. A very good read. Would recommend this for anyone interested in the history of our country. Women with strong family ties, and the transition from slave to free. An outstanding family history thank you

This book is beautifully written. It spans over five generations of women and their stories of life, love, family and race through their eyes. It really gives you an inside perspective of the hardships
of life from slavery and beyond. I found it very enlightening. Once I started I became involved and didn't want to put it down.

Lots of historical information in this book. I like to do genealogy and this book plays on that theme. I continue to think about the book and the characters even though I am reading a different book now.

I'm currently researching my family's history and this book has done nothing but encouraged me to continue searching. Although this is a fictional story intertwined with facts it surely captivates the reader drawing them in and longing to know more about each character. This is actually my second time reading this story after 10 years and it still held my attention as if I were reading it for the first time.

Finally found the time to read Cane River. I finished it during the lazy, hazy days of Summer. Some parts were sad, more historical fact than fiction. Couple months ago I completed my family tree, so keeping up with names and relationships was a daunting experience. I would recommend it for its detail and history.

This book was well researched. I had no idea records of that era and of the slave trade were kept in such detail. The author brought out how emotionally complicated slave life would have been. This book was an amazing insight.

I loved this book! I've started on genealogy and this book just inspired me to continue to dig some more about my roots. Once I started this book- I couldn't put it down- I had to know what was happening next! I loved Philomene in this book- and the pictures just added to the story. Wonderful read!!!!

I love this piece of historical fiction. I learned so much more about the plight of black women and men before the Civil War and just after. This is not a "feel good" piece of literature but one that grips you. It enlightened me and brought me further understanding of the heritage of these brave women and men.

An amazing story that captured my attention right from the start! The story follows the lives of three generations of African American/White women from the Antebellum Days of the Civil War to the mid-1900s. Partially based upon fact and interspersed with real documents and photographs, the story leaves you feeling like you know these women personally as they face the struggles of slavery, servitude, and failed love. Their grace and resilience is an inspiration as each generation of this amazing family builds upon the accomplishments of the last. It kept me turning the pages. If you're on the fence about purchasing this book, don't be...it's a must read.

A very interesting piece into the present and pass reasons for the "color srruck" attitiudes of our people. This literary piece was not only entertainingly accurate but I feel it was expertly writen. The depth that the author took to research her history was very moving
and at the same time it was a step into the past of many African American woman. I was so moved by this piece that I read it twice and reccommended it to my daughter. I will more than likely read it again and again and again.

I thought that this book was an excellent read. The strength of the women in this family during terrible hardships is amazing. I was sad when it ended and wanted to read more about the generations of this family. Would definitely recommend this book.

This was a fascinating story from start to finish. I couldn't put the book down. Wonderfully written about the authors family from being slaves in the early 1800's to the mid 20th century. I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about people and families and their intertwining history. Outstanding!

Bitterly painful to read, but so necessary. A story wonderfully written and hauntingly told of a terrible period in U.S. history when people of African descent were denied every aspect of human dignity.

I injoyed this book because it gave me great insight on how it was for the slaves. I can't emagine how those mothers lived with the fact they could not protect their children. That is why a serious mother is so serious about her child.

Its about the history of the united states from a different viewpoint or at least that is what I took away from this book. I only wish there were more facts, this is a lot of fiction on the part of the author. She only guessed at how it felt i am assuming it was a lot harsher that she imainge it was. it was a liitle long in parts, but i enjoyed it.

The lives of these three generations lets you look into a part of American history that is generally glossed over. The hard facts of life for the earlier generations can be shocking. The sad desire to keep your mixed race children as "white" as possible, knowing they will never be accepted. I enjoyed watching the family grow and move through time. A very enjoyable story.

The lives of these three generations lets you look into a part of American history that is generally glossed over. The hard facts of life for the earlier generations can be shocking. The sad desire to keep your mixed race children as "white" as possible, knowing they will never be accepted. I enjoyed watching the family grow and move through time. A very enjoyable story.

This book helped me learn a bit about the history of my own family and for that I am grateful. I have passed this book onto my family members and it is still going strong after a few years, my nieces and nephews are now reading the hard copy.
This one is my personal edition. Thank you Lalita !

I really enjoyed this book, Lalita actually took you there with the characters. I've tried to start a family tree just because of this book. The women in the story are very strong and this is a page turner, high five to you Lalita.

Showed the suffering from that time but also made you see how far the people have come and that by taking the right paths you can make things possible, I had a had time following the characters thou. But I liked the book

excellent book.....plan on giving this to my daughter..this is one of my all-time favorites....thank God we are evolving as human beings.....cant help but think as I watch the state of the world that most of us white people will find out what enslavement is like....do they call that karma....i think so......God help us....