Embers on the Wind: A Novel

Embers on the Wind is a very complex, thought-provoking, novel. It spins back-and-forth over several generations and deals with some sensitive subject matter. It took a little while to get into this book, but about a quarter way through you can really start to put everything together.The story has multiple characters that are both despicable and likable. You have to pay very close attention in order to keep track of everything that is going on, but you will find yourself understanding more and more as the book progresses.We read this book as part of our book club and to get the feedback from different individuals and what their thoughts were enhanced my joy of this book even more. This author has a very unique writing style that takes a little getting used to but you can still enjoy everything about the story. At times it was hard to read parts of it and there may be some things that are a trigger for folks. I appreciated that at the end of this book the author already had book club type questions that brought about even more forethought and discussion. This is not a book that I typically read but was pleasantly surprised.

Interesting book in which most of the characters are searching for ties to their roots. Multiple stories and time periods woven together with slave history and a touch of restless souls.

Great product, service , and pleasing to listen to. Thanks.

For the most part, this was an interesting and captivating story. But... At times it seems hurried and at other times it seems to drag on. At times it is confusing to follow the timeline because so many different perspectives are being followed at once. To me, a clear perspective of the key story never emerges and it ends rather abruptly without an understanding of the cental theme.

This book instantly took hold of my attention and refused to let my mind wander too far. I will say this is written beautifully and to fully understand the message that culminates at the end, you have to allow yourself to be taken in.This multiple narrative allows us to see the experience of each of it's characters. From a mere 7 year old boy who to a century old spirit.I have been raving about this book for a past week and as I came to the end, I felt like I wanted more. More of the story, more insight to what has not happened yet, but that is where this book comes to life. From. the pages inside the story to the Author's note. Almost is the perfect word to summarize this consuming book.The books takes it's life from the narrative of many Black American, women, men and children. The stories told are not always neat and linear, they are like leaves scattered on the floor on a rusty autumn day. All beautiful, all unique and all diverse. You know what kind of tree it came from, but not exactly WHICH ONE it came from. The narratives, just like the leaves, are all connected to on a grand level, however for some, that connection has resolve and answers and others it just leaves more questions. Then there are the ones that cease to exist, that came close but only have 'almost' to hold on to.********I recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of Gothic literature. This book meets all the requirements of a fantastic gothic novel. The setting, the old house in the Berkshire woods is a main character, with all the creaks and dark corners required to make your skin crawl.********This book is an excellent read, and even more satisfying for those of us who desire more representation through a diverse set of stories. African-American author (Lisa Williamson Rosenberg) ensures that the narrative is not one of misrepresentation, nor one that subjects itself to a complacency. It is honest and therefor believable.*********The book is fantastic for conversation and allows the reader to explore answers and questions about societal expectations for bipoc, namely Black women. It expands the conversation with new questions and may also provide answers to some.

Well written version of the underground railroad for fugitive slaves and descendants looking for their ancestors. There was a disconnect on how all the different people were connected other than the Whittaker house but it wasn't written from the view of the house or any one person which made it confusing.

Once again we have an author who has placed, in the center of the story, a house. Whittaker House is the main character; it is that one place which holds on to the past and keeps the fear and the hopes of that past within its walls. The words you will find in this book will take you on a journey into the hope and desire of those who seek freedom. There is Anne who seeks freedom and the hope that she will find her children, as for Clementine she flees with her unborn child with the hope that Birdie will be born free and never know the life that her mother suffered. The reader will travel through time along with the women who populate this story. There are comparisons between Clemientine and Pam: one flees to allow a child freedom, the other has her child taken from her as if she were nothing more than property that is owned much like Anne. Olivia too, becomes part of this neverending need to control the lives of others. Each of the women that exist within this book are connected to the events of 1850 which sets the stage for what happened today. This should make you think and evaluate history and how it is told. This author has touched on so many aspects of how those in power use that power to take ownership of others. Embers on the Wind shines a light on that horrid aspect of humanity which needs to be discussed but we as a people find difficult to speak of. Then when we do finally make the painful decision to address the slavery that occurred in our collective past let us also look to the now and work to end it in our lifetime. I enjoyed this ever so much, and I will be looking to this author for more works that will push us to evaluate the choices that humanity makes.

The story moves between modern times and the 1850s when Whittaker House was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The freedom seekers who died in their search for safety and freedom haunt the house and the dreams of their descendants. Full of history, mystery, mysticism. Excellent read.

The story about runaway slave was very interesting, but at times it was difficult to follow the characters. A good read for anyone. I didn't give it 5 stars due to the way it bounced back and forth.

Not my favourite book. It jumped around a lot. I found it hard to read