Book Summary
“Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children’s Home Society” is an exploration into the harrowing real-life accounts of the survivors of the infamous Tennessee Children’s Home Society. This non-fiction work is the sequel to Wingate’s best-selling novel, “Before We Were Yours,” which drew attention to the atrocities committed by the Tennessee Children’s Home Society under the leadership of Georgia Tann. The book is a collection of the survivors’ stories compiled by Christie and Wingate after they were inundated with responses to “Before We Were Yours.” These personal accounts reveal the heartbreaking circumstances of their adoptions and their struggles to uncover their true identities. The stories of the survivors are inspiring tales of resilience, as many managed to build successful lives despite the painful start.
Author Intro
Judy Christie, Lisa Wingate
Judy Christie is a journalist and author known for her realistic and heartwarming fiction and non-fiction. Christie’s work is often rooted in her experiences growing up in rural Louisiana. Her writings, both fiction and nonfiction, are characterized by the strength of her characterizations and her ability to weave a compelling narrative. Lisa Wingate is a former journalist and an author who is internationally recognized for her impactful and insightful novels. She is particularly known for her work “Before We Were Yours,” a novel that tells a heart-wrenching tale of children taken away from their families during the mid-twentieth century by the Tennessee Children’s Home Society.
Book Reviews
In “Before and After,” Christie and Wingate have gathered a riveting collection of personal narratives that highlight the resilience of the human spirit. The heart-wrenching testimonies from the survivors of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society reveal a poignant truth about identity, belonging, and the power of truth. The authors handled these stories with great care and respect, painting a vivid picture of the heartbreaking past and the survivors’ inspiring journeys toward healing.
“Before and After” is a captivating and profoundly moving work. Christie and Wingate have done an excellent job of highlighting the individual stories of the survivors while also shedding light on a chilling chapter in American history. The personal accounts are both heartbreaking and inspiring, and they serve as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the profound impact of our pasts on our present and future.
The stories in “Before and After” are deeply affecting and reveal a largely unknown chapter of American history. The authors have skillfully assembled these testimonies, weaving together narratives that expose the dark underbelly of the adoption industry in the mid-twentieth century. Despite the disturbing content, the book is ultimately uplifting, celebrating the survivors’ resilience and determination to reclaim their identities.
“Before and After” is a compelling exploration of the stories of the survivors of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. The narratives, while heartbreaking, are also incredibly inspiring, showcasing the remarkable resilience and courage of these individuals. Christie and Wingate have created an invaluable record of this historical episode, providing the survivors with a platform to tell their stories. Their compassionate and respectful treatment of these narratives makes this a powerful and unforgettable book.
