The Last Runaway in Crazy Challenge Connection

Jul 08, 2016 Book Concierge rated it it was ok

Shelves: audio, historical-fiction, concierge, strong-women, library, ohio, slavery

Audiobook performed by Kate Reading
2.5**

In 1850, Honor Bright accompanies her sister to America. Grace is betrothed to a Quaker merchant who has set up shop with his brother in Ohio. Honor is fleeing a failed romance, hoping for a new start. But the “frontier” of Ohio is very different from the long-established English community Honor left, and she feels adrift and unwelcomed, though she has little choice but to rely on these virtual strangers to help her.

I’ve been a fan of Chevalier’s for a lo ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 21, 2013 Stacy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, annoying-protagonists, audiobooks, read-in-2014

This is the 4th book I've read in the past few months with a foolish young female narrator who drove me crazy with her poor choices and judgmental attitude towards others.

Perhaps these characters bother me because they remind me of myself at their age. Nevertheless, they make for a trying read.

2 1/2 stars

It's a shame, because some of the other characters are likeable and dynamic (Belle and Mrs. Reed). ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 28, 2014 Nancy Brady rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-book, book-exchange-library-group-read

Honor Bright, a Quaker, comes to the United States (and Ohio) with her sister who is to marry another Friend. Grace dies of yellow fever before she ever meets with her intended, but Honor goes on in her stead making for an awkward situation. She meets with other Friends and gets involved with runaway slaves. Her new family is opposed to it, but her conscience keeps her helping those she can. Yet, she begins understand being a runaway when she does it, too. Can she reconcile with her husband? Or ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 26, 2012 Carol rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, underground-railroad, chevalier, 10-2013-release, 14-day-loan, new-release-2013

Departing from England, Honor and her sister, Grace, take a voyage to America where Grace will marry. The movement of the ocean was very difficult for Honor. They land and unfortunately, Grace comes down with yellow fever and she dies leaving Honor to travel to Ohio and meet her fiancé. It is 1850 and America is quite different from her home in England. Honor is a Quaker and a strong woman, honest and grateful for a ride to Ohio. On the way, Donovan rides his horse alongside the wagon, and he ju Departing from England, Honor and her sister, Grace, take a voyage to America where Grace will marry. The movement of the ocean was very difficult for Honor. They land and unfortunately, Grace comes down with yellow fever and she dies leaving Honor to travel to Ohio and meet her fiancé. It is 1850 and America is quite different from her home in England. Honor is a Quaker and a strong woman, honest and grateful for a ride to Ohio. On the way, Donovan rides his horse alongside the wagon, and he jumps on and yells that a fugitive slave could be hidden in the trunk on the wagon. Honor gives him her key to unlock her chest, where he finds all her clothing and homemade quilts. He discovers that she is a Quaker and decides to flirt with her by taking her key (on a green ribbon) placed around his neck,as he jumps back on his horse.

On her journey they stop at town where she meets Belle, the unorthodox milliner who aids runaway slaves, even as her rough and charismatic brother, Donovan, hunts them down. Honor meets the Quaker community, falls in love with Jack. They marry and Honor becomes pregnant. She is not to work on the farm in her maternal state, and so she begins to help slaves (food, water, clothing, directions) who are running away. The baby is born and his family, especially the mother, is treating her like dirt because they fear the consequences of hiding and aiding a fugitive slave. Honor chooses not to talk to anyone (church, family, husband.) She is so isolated and lonely that she tries to runaway with another slave, except she is going south to get her two daughters. Donovan comes on the scene, knowing that Honor and a fugitive are trying to escape. They leave and head back to Belle's place. Surprise, Donovan shows up, and Belle has a gun and shots it at her brother. She dies from the shrapnel and Donovan, who always loved her, Honor goes over to him. --- She walked over to Donovan. Kneeling beside him, she saw, amid the neatly, metallic blood and torn cloth on his chest, the glistening key to her trunk. He open his eyes. "Hold my hand, Honor Bright," he said. And she did, squeezing until she felt the Light fade. ...more

Like · see review

Feb 13, 2013 Tien rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, moving-mountains, own, usa

This book reminds me somewhat of Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks though not as heartbreaking. The beginning of this book, “She could not go back,” was gut-wrenching but not heartbreaking. There were many instances in the books where it tugs your heart and at times, squeezes it, but no heartbreaking moments.

Honor Bright is likeable enough as a character though I don’t love her. She’s running away from England due to a heartache and whilst, I understand that she misses home so much, it was st ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 02, 2014 Rusty rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction

Some authors feel like an old comfortable shoe when you begin to read their work. So it is for this author for me. I totally enjoyed Honor Bright. The author makes this sensitive, principled young woman come alive it a touching and poignant way. Her quiet determination is wonderfully heart warming and one cannot help but cheer when she chooses to help runaway slaves in spite of the danger to herself and her family by marriage. I liked this tale very much.

Like · see review