The Book of Lost Friends

More about the book

Bestselling author Lisa Wingate brings to life the poignant stories from Lost Friends advertisements in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, where newly freed slaves sought their loved ones. In Louisiana, 1875, three young women embark on a perilous journey: Hannie, a freed slave; Lavinia, a once-pampered plantation heir; and Juneau Jane, Lavinia's Creole half-sister. Each carries deep wounds and secrets as they travel to Texas, navigating a landscape still fraught with remnants of conflict. For Lavinia and Juneau Jane, the quest is driven by financial desperation, while for Hannie, separated from her family before slavery's end, the journey stirs the hope of reuniting with her long-lost loved ones. Beyond the swamps lies the vastness of Texas and the possibility of hope. Fast forward to Louisiana, 1987: First-year teacher Benedetta Silva takes a subsidized job at a struggling rural school, hoping to alleviate her student debt. However, she finds herself in a small Mississippi River town that is wary of change. As Benny grapples with the realities of her impoverished students, she uncovers the century-old history of the three young women, their journey, and a hidden book that could alter everything.