Title: Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Historical (30s), Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
From New York Times bestselling author Kristina McMorris comes another unforgettable novel inspired by a stunning piece of history.
2 CHILDREN FOR SALE
The sign is a last resort. It sits on a farmhouse porch in 1931, but could be found anywhere in an era of breadlines, bank runs and broken dreams. It could have been written by any mother facing 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 it leads to his big break, the consequences are more devastating than he ever imagined.
At the paper, Lillian Palmer is haunted by her role in all that happened. She is far too familiar with the heartbreak of children deemed unwanted. As the bonds of motherhood are tested, she and Ellis must decide how much they are willing to risk to mend a fractured family.
Inspired by an actual newspaper photograph that stunned the nation, Sold on a Monday is a powerful novel of love, redemption, and the unexpected paths that bring us home.
Review:
Based on a real life event, Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris is a heart wrenching historical novel that is poignant and thought-provoking.
Society writer Ellis Reed captures a photo that secretary Lily Palmer brings to the attention of her boss. He in turn instructs Reed to write an article to accompany the picture of the two young boys with a sign that reads “children for sale”. However, right before the article is published, the photo and negative are destroyed. When Ellis returns to the farmhouse and discovers the family has moved, he finds himself in a moral dilemma that is solved by his decision to stage a new snapshot with different children. The article captures the heart of America but Ellis remains conflicted about the second photo. Fast forward a few months and Reed is offered a new position that launches his career as a newspaper reporter. But, at the back of his mind, the fate of those two children continues to haunt him. Determined to find out how the kids and their mother are faring, Ellis is stunned by what he discovers.
Lily is a gifted writer but in 1931, journalism is a man’s field and women are often relegated to writing puff pieces. Fully cognizant of this fact, she is hoping her job as a secretary will be a stepping stone to becoming a reporter. She is immediately touched by Ellis’s photo but she has no idea the original photo was accidentally destroyed. As soon she learns the truth, she, too, is concerned about the fate of the family in the staged photo. Lily becomes the driving force in righting a terrible wrong but will she and Ellis uncover the truth before it is too late?
Sold on a Monday is a truly fascinating novel that is fast-paced and engaging. Ellis and Lily are realistically developed characters who are endearingly flawed yet this just adds to their appeal. Kristina McMorris paints an intriguing and heartbreaking portrait of the hardships, social stigmas and seamy underworld of the time period. Readers of the genre are sure to enjoy this wonderful story that tugs on the heartstrings.
