The Mapmaker’s Children by Sarah McCoy is a wonderful blend of the past and present that completely captivates the reader from the first page to the last. Sarah McCoy tells a beautifully written story that is told in the past by Sarah Brown (daughter of abolitionist John Brown) and in the present by Eden Anderson, a woman struggling to have a child. Having read and loved The Baker’s Daughter I had high hopes for The Mapmaker’s Children and Sarah McCoy lived up to every expectation I had with yet another mesmerizing story. The audiobook production of The Mapmaker’s Children is absolutely fabulous with multiple narrators including Abby Craden, Cassandra Campbell, Jane Jacobs, and the author’s note read by Sarah McCoy herself. With narrators such as these ladies you know you are in for a listening experience you won’t soon forget – very well done!
Sarah Brown’s father John worked hard in the 1800’s to end slavery. While he kept his work from his family it still happened that he discovered that Sarah was artistically talented and that talent lent well to creating maps that were then used on the Underground Railroad. Since Sarah, having had a bad illness, would never bear children she threw herself completely into her father’s work and continued on even after his passing to do what she could for the cause. Eden, in the present time, has moved into an old house with her husband. She’s extremely unhappy with her inability to bear a child and this is consuming her every moment. When the young Cleo shows up at her door she’s pretty snarky but this young girl soon enough worms her way into her good graces. Meanwhile Eden has found a head from an old porcelain doll that had been used in the Underground Railroad in her cellar. Both she and Cleo discover the many hidden secrets and past lives that this doll has lived and in doing so this opens Eden up to healing her broken soul.
The Mapmaker’s Children is a fantastic novel with such depth and beauty. With my love of historical fiction I loved Sarah’s story and while I’ve read some on the Underground Railroad before it was great to learn more of this strong woman and her bravery. I even liked Eden who is entirely an unlikeable character in the beginning but as the story progresses so does she. What I really loved though was how Sarah McCoy wove the two narratives together with an old house, a porcelain doll’s head, and a fascinating look back into history.
Utterly fantastic storytelling! Highly recommended!
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GIVEAWAY – OPEN TO US & CANADIAN RESIDENTS
1 paper copy up for giveaway
*CLICK HERE* and fill out the form to enter
Draw Date May 23/15
I agree – this is a wonderful book!
Kathy, she’s such a wonderful writer isn’t she. I love her books.
I need to read this one, I love good historical fiction and I have heard great things about Sarah McCoy. Glad you enjoyed it!
Naida, I’ve read this one and The Baker’s Daughter and loved them both. I hope you get a chance to read it.
I would like to enter this contest. I take it from your title that your review is of the audiobook. Is the TLC contest also for an audiobook or for the paper book? If this is for the paper book, I will enter the contest.
Beth, it is indeed for a paper copy. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I’ve amended by post. Good luck on the giveaway.
I loved the Baker’s Daughter so I know this must be wonderful. Thank you for the review and the giveaway. Some of my ancestors were Quakers and active in the Underground Railroad so I am very excited about this one.
I haven’t read either of the books but I’m putting them on my TRL. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to win this book. Sara is a newAuthor for meso thanks for that too.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
This is definitely my kind of book! I’m interested to see what changes to make Eden a more likable character as the story progresses.
Thanks for being a part of the tour.