Cane River

Critical Praise

"Extraordinary...illuminates the soul of heritage...historical fiction of the highest order."
-Philadelphia Inquirer

"Evocative and convincing."
-Washington Post Book World

"Astonishing...bold, breathtaking, and unforgettable."
-Essence

"A long-overdue response to Alex Haley's Roots."
-San Francisco Chronicle

"Strongly written...[a] proud saga of survival."
-People

"[Celebrates] the resourcefulness and resilience of people trapped in a system perversely dedicated to destroying those very qualities."
-Washington Post Book World

"A remarkable and unusual story...pulls us powerfully into the life of a family....With a clear vision, and a beautiful, straightforward style, Tademy avoids the temptation to make her tale polemical. Not that she doesn't score political points with smooth, deft prose."
-Philadelphia Inquirer

"Frank...fascinating."
-Publishers Weekly

"Spellbinding...will bring you to tears...written with such rich detail that it's easy to forget it is a novel."
-Detroit Free Press

"Tademy has a canny historical eye....She has rescued these black women from the shameful annals of Mammy and Jezebel, of tragic mulattas, and makes of them gratifyingly imperfect heroines."
-San Francisco Chronicle

"Unique...absorbing."
-Ellen Levine, editor in chief, Good Housekeeping

"An accomplished...richly textured family saga that resonates with intelligence and empathy."
-Kirkus Reviews

"A powerful historical novel...[a] fascinating account of American slavery."
-Booklist

"Powerful...so compelling you'll want to read it in one sitting...rich with fascinating detail...a journey well worth taking….The families of CANE RIVER will haunt you long after you've shared their stories of suffering, abuse, joy, love, separation, reunion, hard work, survival, triumph."
-San Jose Mercury News

"A compelling story! A powerful book!"
-Billie Letts

"[A] remarkable debut...absorbing and moving….These characters come to vivid life...captures the intricate rhythms of plantation life in all their harshness and beauty...[and] faces head-on the realities of black racism."
-New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Gripping."
-BookPage

"An incredible accomplishment...insightful."
-BookBrowser Review

"Tademy recreates the tale of the Cane River women....In telling of their strength, courage, and heartbreaking choices, [she] reclaims the complexity and beauty of their lives."
-Honeymag.com