Necessary Lies

From Goodreads:

Bestselling author Diane Chamberlain delivers a breakout book about a small southern town fifty years ago, and the darkest—and most hopeful—places in the human heart

After losing her parents, fifteen-year-old Ivy Hart is left to care for her grandmother, older sister and nephew as tenants on a small tobacco farm.  As she struggles with her grandmother’s aging, her sister’s mental illness and her own epilepsy, she realizes they might need more than she can give.

When Jane Forrester takes a position as Grace County’s newest social worker, she doesn’t realize just how much her help is needed.  She quickly becomes emotionally invested in her clients' lives, causing tension with her boss and her new husband.  But as Jane is drawn in by the Hart women, she begins to discover the secrets of the small farm—secrets much darker than she would have guessed.  Soon, she must decide whether to take drastic action to help them, or risk losing the battle against everything she believes is wrong.

Set in rural Grace County, North Carolina in a time of state-mandated sterilizations and racial tension, Necessary Lies tells the story of these two young women, seemingly worlds apart, but both haunted by tragedy.  Jane and Ivy are thrown together and must ask themselves: how can you know what you believe is right, when everyone is telling you it’s wrong?

From Me:

I was surprised by how much I loved this book.

I didn't even realize they did Eugenics in the United States!  (forced sterilization)  I am so naive in some ways.

I thought the book was very well done, and so enlightening about historical events that are little known.

This book is categorized as Women's Fiction. I'm going to take a little issue with that.  What exactly is Women's Fiction? 

This book talked about a controversial social issue in the 1960's.  It was historically factual and very interesting.

The plot, the setting, the theme --- all well done.

The main characters were women.  

Does that make it women's fiction?

Just wondering. 

I listened to this on audio and I loved the narrator, Allison Elliot, she did a great job.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.

I loved it.

I am giving it 5 stars!

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This book was also chosen by Shelly for our Lit Wits club this month!

The Lit Wit's consensus was----4.5 stars!!

The only thing that bothered some of them was that the ending was a little too tidy.

It was, but sometimes I'm just in the mood for tidiness at the end of a book.

We always have food at this one.

And it's no pot-luck! 

It's all planned, cooked, presented by the host.

It's a bit of a pressure--having to cook for that many people!

It was a small group this time, only 12 of us.

We have 23 in the group.

It was a lovely meal of baked chicken and pork chops, and broccoli salad and fruit and a potato casserole and brownies and ice cream!

YUMMY!

I say this all the time, but I will say it again:

I love these women!

What is it about book club that bonds you?

Discussion on complex subjects?

Listening without arguing about differing opinions on such subjects.

Book talk leading to life talk?

Sharing secrets and memories?

Or -- the Alcohol? 

Just kidding.

Keeli is not going to like the photo with her eyes closed. (sorry)

And then someone told us about the TLC show  "Sex put me in the ER".

We had to take a look!

~it made us laugh our arses off~

Who thinks of these things?

After dinner, we got down to some good book club talk!

Shelly being our leader.

We had a great discussion about this book --- which segued into social work today, and the rights of spouses, and women.

It was a fun evening.

Read the book.

The Lit Wits recommends it!