Maryam Prescilla Grace goes by many names in Things Past Telling (#1,044). She remembers her life from great old age in the United States when a US Census Taker comes calling. Momma Grace won't answer him; she leaves that to her family. But she thinks about the many twists and turns her life has taken to bring her here, to this porch chair, surrounded by her family.
Sheila Williams paints amazing word pictures to describe Little Bird's life in West Africa before she and her sisters were captured in a raid on their village by slavers. Not to give away too much here, but her life takes an unexpected detour which allows her to come under the wing of a wise woman in the Caribbean who trains her to follow her footsteps as a midwife. Her skill with languages as well makes Little Bird, eventually Maryam, to become a valuable asset, both in and out of slavery. Her life is never easy, full of loss and grief, and yet she continues.
I couldn't wait to find out what happened next in her story. What more could you possibly ask of a gifted storyteller? Highly, highly recommended.
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