Sold On A Monday by Kristina McMorris – 352 pages
ARC courtesy of the Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review.
Book Blurb:
The scrawled sign, peddling young siblings on a farmhouse porch, captures the desperation sweeping the country in 1931. It’s an era of breadlines, bank runs, and impossible choices. For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when the image leads to his big break, the consequences are devastating in ways he never imagined.
Haunted by secrets of her own, secretary Lillian Palmer sees more in the picture than a good story and is soon drawn into the fray. Together, the two set out to right a wrongdoing and mend a fractured family, at the risk of everything they value. Inspired by an actual newspaper photo that stunned readers across the nation, this touching novel explores the tale within the frame and behind the lens—a journey of ambition, love, and the far-reaching effects of our actions.
My Review: 4 stars
Sold on a Monday transported me into the desperate days of the Great Depression in this heart-breaking and beautiful story. It explores what would lead a mother to sell her children, the why behind it and the ripple effect that follows. The emotional charge of this book really propelled the story line. I didn’t just want to know what happened, I needed to know what happened. I’m a fan of all of McMorris’ novels such as The Pieces We Keep and The Edge Of Lost. I loved watching the two main characters, Ellis & Lily, work together despite the odds stacked against them.
This author can expertly spin a story, while creating fully realized characters. I loved watching the two main characters, Ellis & Lily, work together despite the odds stacked against them. This is a story that sets you inside the plot and shows rather than tells.
Learning that this novel was actually based on a photo that read “4 Children for Sale” added an extra layer of interest based on factual history. (Photo attached below) This book demonstrates how one choice, no matter how big or small, can have consequences long into the future. It also questions the reader whether or not you can you right a wrong that has spiraled outside of your control. Book Clubs will devour this one.
