The Undertaker’s Assistant
by Amanda Skenandore
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Kensington Publishing Corp.
eBook & Paperback; 304 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Set during Reconstruction-era New Orleans, and with an extraordinary and unforgettable heroine at its heart, The Undertaker’s Assistant is a powerful story of human resilience–and of the unlikely bonds that hold fast even in our darkest moments.
“The dead can’t hurt you. Only the living can.” Effie Jones, a former slave who escaped to the Union side as a child, knows the truth of her words. Taken in by an army surgeon and his wife during the War, she learned to read and write, to tolerate the sight of blood and broken bodies–and to forget what is too painful to bear. Now a young freedwoman, she has returned south to New Orleans and earns her living as an embalmer, her steady hand and skillful incisions compensating for her white employer’s shortcomings.
Tall and serious, Effie keeps her distance from the other girls in her boarding house, holding tight to the satisfaction she finds in her work. But despite her reticence, two encounters–with a charismatic state legislator named Samson Greene, and a beautiful young Creole, Adeline–introduce her to new worlds of protests and activism, of soirees and social ambition. Effie decides to seek out the past she has blocked from her memory and try to trace her kin. As her hopes are tested by betrayal, and New Orleans grapples with violence and growing racial turmoil, Effie faces loss and heartache, but also a chance to finally find her place . . .
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My Thoughts…
The Undertaker’s Assistant takes place in Reconstruction Era New Orleans. This is a particularly interesting and stressful period and location in American History. Not only were racial tensions building following the Civil War, but the women’s suffrage movement was attempting to gain national momentum. While the country remains ideologically divided and legally united, its citizens are attempting to reestablish the new American identity and build a society of people with diametrically opposed beliefs.
In this novel we meet Effie, a southern born slave, rescued by the northern army as a child. At the beginning of the story, Effie has just arrived in New Orleans from Indiana and does not remember much of her life when she lived in the South. Despite her birthplace, she is viewed and mostly identifies as a “Yankee,” further separating her from the people she is surrounded by. Add to that, Effie’s aloof personality and lack of emotional connections, and she is almost always an outsider looking in.
For most of the first half of the book, I found it very difficult to get invested in Effie and her story. Though the situation was full of dramatic events and heart wrenching depictions, I didn’t feel connected to Effie. For some people, that wouldn’t be a problem, but I’ve learned that I really need some sort of emotional connection to the characters in order to really get engrossed in a book. I honestly believe the author made Effie unreachable on purpose, because she really was unapproachable for everyone in the book as well.
Slowly, as Effie begins to open up, so does the book. It comes to life as more characters begin to join Effie’s journey, making it take a different shape and feel. With Samson romance and passion is discovered, with Adeline friendship and betrayal, and with Tom, loyalty and kinship with the possibility of more. It was interesting to read about a woman finding herself in the midst of a country finding itself. No one quite knows who they are or who to be.
This was a very interesting and enjoyable book, especially after the first 100 pages. Once it really gets going, and hits its stride, it’s almost impossible to put down.
Special thanks to Amanda Skenandore, HF Virtual Book Tours, and Kensington Publishing Corp. for a copy of The Undertaker’s Assistant in exchange for an honest review.
Praise for Amanda Skenandore and Between Earth and Sky
“Gripping and beautifully written, Between Earth and Sky tugs at the heart with its dynamic heroine and unique cast of characters. Though this novel brings alive two historical American eras and settings, the story is achingly modern, universal and important.” –Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The It Girls
“Intensely emotional. . . . Skenandore’s deeply introspective and moving novel will appeal to readers of American history, particularly those interested in the dynamics behind the misguided efforts of white people to better the lives Native American by forcing them to adopt white cultural mores.” –Publishers Weekly
“A masterfully written novel about the heart-wrenching clash of two American cultures . . . a fresh and astonishing debut.” –V.S. Alexander, author of The Magdalen Girls and The Taster
“By describing its costs in human terms, the author shapes tension between whites and Native Americans into a touching story. The title of Skenandore’s debut could refer to reality and dreams, or to love and betrayal; all are present in this highly original novel.” –Booklist
“A heartbreaking story about the destructive legacy of the forced assimilation of Native American children. Historical fiction readers and book discussion groups will find much to ponder here.” –Library Journal
“At its heart, this luminous book tells a Romeo and Juliet story. But Skenandore’s book is so much more than a simple romance. This novel examines the complex relationship between love and loss, culture and conquest, annihilation and assimilation.” –Historical Novel Society
About the Author
Amanda Skenandore is a historical fiction writer and registered nurse. Between Earth and Sky was her first novel. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Readers can visit her website at www.amandaskenandore.com.
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Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, July 23
Review at The Lit Bitch
Review at Broken Teepee
Wednesday, July 24
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at Reading the Past
Interview at Jathan & Heather
Review at Suzy Approved Book Reviews
Thursday, July 25
Review at Jennifer Tar Heel Reader
Interview at Let Them Read Books
Friday, July 26
Review at Orange County Readers
Saturday, July 27
Feature at Donna’s Book Blog
Monday, July 29
Review at Macsbooks
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Tuesday, July 30
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Review at Melissa Reads
Wednesday, July 31
Review at McCombs on Main
Interview at Jorie Loves A Story
Thursday, August 1
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review at Clarissa Reads it All
Friday, August 2
Review at Based on a True Story
Saturday, August 3
Feature at Mama’s Reading Corner
Monday, August 5
Review at Bibliophile Reviews
Tuesday, August 6
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Review at LadyJ’s Bookish Nook
Wednesday, August 7
Review at A Bookish Affair
Thursday, August 8
Review at Comet Readings
Saturday, August 10
Feature at What Is That Book About
Monday, August 12
Review at Cover To Cover Cafe
Tuesday, August 13
Review at Reader then Blogger
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time
Wednesday, August 14
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Thursday, August 15
Review & Interview at Passages to the Past
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two signed copies of The Undertaker’s Assistant by Amanda Skenandore! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on August 15th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Thanks so much for being on the tour, Amy! So glad you enjoyed it!
Amy
HF Virtual Book Tours