MWSA Book Review

The Drifters

Author:  Tanya Holmes Shook

Publisher:  Marquette Books

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

A Piece of Forgotten History!

It is not often that you read a novel and come away with a real educational experience. I thought I had a good handle on early US History but I admit that I knew absolutely nothing about this ethnic group of Americans that have had their history lost and omitted over the centuries. The people known as Melungeons were here on our shores well before Jamestown was ever settled. They came here as abandoned slaves of the Vikings who had captured and taken them away from various nations around the world including Portugal, Spain, North Africa, Turkey and Greece. They ended up surviving as a group by intermarrying and being assimilated by Native American tribes.

In her wonderfully written novel, Tonya Holmes Shook weaves a fascinating story very much like “Roots” tracing her own family history from long ago stories that had been passed down from her great-great-grandmother. Her book “The Drifters: A Christian Historical Novel about the Melungeon Shantyboat People” tells a tale that has not been told before. She chooses fiction to tell her story so she could fill in the emotional spaces and bring the characters to life – which she does superbly.

This book crosses through many historic times including the Civil War. The author makes this story come alive and will keep you glued to the task of finishing her book so you know what happened to everyone. It is truly a classic novel. There have already been several movie producers looking at it for future projects. It won much acclaim and even some awards including recognition from The American Authors Association.

This is a must read book. This book is suitable for all family members to read. The MWSA gives this novel its HIGHEST RATING – FIVE STARS!

I personally endorse this book!