We Hope for Better Things

We Hope for Better Things

By Erin Bartels

The topic of this novel is race. But wait! Don’t stop reading! I know, it can be a touchy subject, but Bartels paints an incredible tableau with a very steady hand. We follow three female protagonists living in three separate eras: Civil war, the 1960s, and present day. Each woman ends up living in the same house, adding to its secrets. You almost get three stories for the price of one, but truly, they are all parts of the same story, and that story revolves around the 1967 Detroit riot.

If you’re looking for a little light reading, don’t despair. This story is truly all about the women. Each era depicts a bi-racial love story and the repercussions which vary depending on the times.

It’s fascinating reading. From the first slave who finds refuge on this northern farm during the civil war, to the elderly woman who refuses to remember what she has tried so hard to forget, to the woman who cut up her fancy dresses to make an exquisite quilt, these people will find a place inside your heart. And trust me, when you read the last page, you will not be ready to let them go.

In a time when race is only one of many lines that seem to divide us, this book does exactly the opposite. It's a story about humanity and coming together and loving against all odds. 

We Hope for Better Things is a brand new book with fresh writing and a refreshing look at an age-old problem. In fact, as the title states, it makes me Hope for Better Things.