Before We Were Yours Summary

In “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate, we are transported between two distinct timelines and geographical locales – Memphis, 1939, and present-day Aiken, South Carolina. The narrative oscillates between these two worlds, skilfully unravelling a haunting tale inspired by the real-life scandal of Georgia Tann, a notorious figure in American history who orchestrated the illegal adoption of countless children.

In 1939 Memphis, we are introduced to Rill Foss, a twelve-year-old girl leading an idyllic, bohemian life with her parents and four younger siblings on their Mississippi River shantyboat. However, this magical existence is abruptly upended one stormy night when her parents are forced to rush to the hospital due to her mother’s complicated childbirth.

In their absence, a swarm of strangers descends upon the shantyboat, uprooting Rill and her siblings and whisking them away to the infamous Tennessee Children’s Home Society. They are pacified with promises of a swift reunion with their parents, but these assurances quickly crumble, exposing a stark reality that plunges them into a world of uncertainty, danger, and the relentless cruelty of the home’s director.

Fast forward to the present day, we meet Avery Stafford, a woman born into opulence and prestige. Her life is seemingly perfect, with a thriving career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and grand wedding plans. However, when her father falls ill, Avery returns to her family home in Aiken.

There, a chance encounter at a nursing home leaves her unsettled, stirring up questions that probe at the edges of her family’s long-buried past. Intrigued and disquieted, Avery finds herself drawn to an unexpected journey through her family’s history, a voyage that could lead her towards heartbreaking devastation or profound redemption.

The book unfolds as a compelling dual narrative, gradually revealing how Rill’s past intertwines with Avery’s present. Through her impeccably crafted characters, Wingate delves into a dark chapter of American history, shedding light on the immense strength of familial bonds, the resilience of the human spirit, and the unfading echo of our origins within our hearts.

“Before We Were Yours” is a powerful testament to the fact that while life may steer us onto various paths, our hearts invariably remember where we truly belong. This riveting, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale is a stark reminder of the price of forgotten history and the enduring power of love and kinship.

Before We Were Yours Characters

“Before We Were Yours” features a host of characters spanning different timelines. Here are the main characters:

Rill Foss (May Weathers): The novel’s protagonist, Rill is a twelve-year-old girl living on a shantyboat in Memphis with her family. She’s a brave and resilient character who faces dire circumstances to protect her siblings when they’re taken to the Tennessee Children’s Home Society.
Avery Stafford: A privileged federal prosecutor from South Carolina, Avery stumbles upon a family secret that makes her question everything she’s known about her family. She’s a diligent, determined woman who sets out on a quest to uncover her family’s hidden history.
Queenie Foss (Briny Foss): Rill’s parents who live a simple life on a shantyboat in Memphis. When Queenie experiences complications with her pregnancy, she’s rushed to the hospital, which triggers the events that lead to the children’s removal.
Georgia Tann: Based on a real-life person, Georgia Tann is the director of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. She’s a cruel and manipulative woman who takes advantage of her position to kidnap and sell poor children to wealthy families.
The Foss Siblings: Rill’s four siblings – Camellia, Lark, Fern, and Gabion – who are also taken to the Tennessee Children’s Home Society and play significant roles in the story.
Trent Turner: A kind and patient man who helps Avery uncover her family’s past. He’s a potential love interest for Avery and a steady presence throughout her journey.
Judy Stafford: Avery’s grandmother, who suffers from dementia. Her cryptic comments spark Avery’s interest in the family’s past and kickstart the investigation into their history.

Before We Were Yours Book Club Questions

For book questions Lisa Wingate’s “Before We Were Yours,” you might consider these questions:

Discuss the transformation of Rill throughout the story. How does her character evolve from the beginning to the end of the novel?
How does Avery’s discovery about her family’s past change her perspective about her own life and future?
How does the author portray the real-life figure of Georgia Tann and the atrocities she committed?
What role does the setting play in the narrative, especially the contrast between Rill’s shantyboat life and Avery’s privileged upbringing?
How does the novel illustrate the strength of family bonds, even in the face of adversity?
The book is based on real-life events involving the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. How does this knowledge affect your reading of the story?
Discuss the theme of identity as portrayed in the book. How do the characters grapple with their identities?
How does the dual timeline structure of the narrative enhance the story?
How are love and sacrifice portrayed in the novel?
How does the story resonate with current societal issues, such as child welfare and class disparity?

Before We Were Yours Quotes

Here are some popular quotes from Before We Were Yours,popular as rated by readers in Goodreads:

“But the love of sisters needs no words. It does not depend on memories, or mementos, or proof. It runs as deep as a heartbeat. It is as ever present as a pulse.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours
“Life is not unlike cinema. Each scene has its own music, and the music is created for the scene, woven to it in ways we do not understand. No matter how much we may love the melody of a bygone day or imagine the song of a future one, we must dance within the music of today, or we will always be out of step, stumbling around in something that doesn’t suit the moment.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours
“Well, that’s one of the paradoxes of life. You can’t have it all. You can have some of this and some of that or all of this and none of that. We make the trade-offs we think are best at the time.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours
“A woman’s past need not predict her future. She can dance to new music if she chooses. Her own music. To hear the tune, she must only stop talking. To herself, I mean. We’re always trying to persuade ourselves of things.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours
“In my multifold years of life, I have learned that most people get along as best they can. They don’t intend to hurt anyone. It is merely a terrible by-product of surviving.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours
“One of the best things a father can do for his daughter is let her know that she has met his expectations. My father did that for me, and no amount of effort on my part can fully repay the debt.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours
“But the love of sisters needs no words. It does not depend on memories, or mementos, or proof. It runs as deep as a heartbeat. It is as ever present a s a pulse.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours
“I learned that you need not be born into a family to be loved by one.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours
“The good life demands a lot of maintenance” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours
“And if you haven’t got a single book, the idea of putting your hand on one is like Christmas and a birthday rolled up together.” ― Lisa Wingate, Before We Were Yours

Final thoughts

In “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate, we are masterfully transported across time and space, through a poignant narrative that bridges the lives of characters separated by decades yet bound by a shared, hidden history. The story alternates between the harrowing experiences of Rill Foss in 1939 Memphis, and the life-altering discoveries of Avery Stafford in present-day South Carolina. Wingate intricately weaves these two strands, unraveling a heart-wrenching tale of family, identity, and resilience against the backdrop of one of America’s darkest chapters in child welfare.

Rill’s journey from a carefree existence on a shantyboat to the harsh realities of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society is both tragic and heroic. Her fierce determination to protect her siblings in the face of unimaginable adversity highlights the unyielding power of familial bonds. In contrast, Avery’s life, marked by privilege and certainty, takes an unexpected turn as she delves into her family’s murky past, unearthing secrets that challenge her understanding of who she truly is.

The novel’s brilliance lies in its ability to connect these two seemingly disparate lives, revealing the enduring impact of past actions on future generations. Through Wingate’s skillful storytelling, “Before We Were Yours” not only exposes a significant historical injustice but also celebrates the indomitable spirit of those who endured it. It’s a compelling reminder of the importance of remembering our past, not just for the sake of history, but for the lessons it imparts about love, resilience, and the inextricable links that bind us across time.

I hope you find this Before We Were Yours summary helpful.