Shaunna J. Edwards

Stella living in Louisiana, and Lily living in New York City are intelligent and capable women who eventually meet up is distressing conditions and become friends. Stella is trying to survive being the property of Frye, an egotistical slave owner, while loving William, an escaped slave who flees to sign up with the Union army.

Lily is the daughter of a wealthy Jewish sheet music businessman. She is a passionate member of women's groups fighting for the end of slavery, and for women's rights. She sews quilts, wraps bandages or anything necessary to help the Union army. She decides to search for her husband, Jacob, a musician with the Union army, when she doesn't receive letters from him. Her visit to the South is heartbreaking; she visits Union army hospitals seeing the reality of the devastation and huge loss from the Civil War.

A wonderful book that shows the power of friendship, love, generosity and music can help people heal and find their ways.… (meer)

Underlying The Thread Collectors by Shaunna J Edwards and Alyson Richman is the tapestry of the Civil War. What makes this story unique among others of the same time period is the combination of perspectives - Black and Jewish. It is sad to see how many of the conversation about prejudice and bigotry still exist. At the same time, the book is inspiring in its story about how individuals can make a difference, one action at a time.

Read my complete review at rel="nofollow" target="_top">http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/11/the-thread-collectors.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.… (meer)

Set during the middle of the American Civil War, this novel intertwines between two men and two women: William and Stella, Jacob and Lily. William and Stella are enslaved in New Orleans by a cruel man who takes Stella as his mistress. William, though, has a talent for music and this helps him first as a slave, then when he enrolls in the Union army. Jacob and Lily are Jewish, from a small immigrant community in New York City. War brings together first Jacob and William, who discover a shared love of music. Stella and Lily use their sewing to aid the war effort and eventually, to help each other. A good read, overall, and one that highlights lesser known aspects of the Civil War.… (meer)