Lazaretto: A Novel - Hardcover

McKinney-Whetstone, Diane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062126962 ISBN 13: 9780062126962

Publisher: Harper, 2016

Synopsis

This stunning new novel from Diane McKinney-Whetstone, nationally bestselling author of Tumbling, begins in the chaotic backstreets of post–Civil War Philadelphia as a young black woman gives birth to a child fathered by her wealthy white employer.

In a city riven by racial tension, the father’s transgression is unforgivable. He has already arranged to take the baby, so it falls to Sylvia, the midwife’s teenage apprentice, to tell Meda that her child is dead—a lie that will define the course of both women’s lives. A devastated Meda dedicates herself to working in an orphanage and becomes a surrogate mother to two white boys; while Sylvia, fueled by her guilt, throws herself into her nursing studies and finds a post at the Lazaretto, the country’s first quarantine hospital, situated near the Delaware River, just south of Philadelphia.

The Lazaretto is a crucible of life and death; sick passengers and corpses are quarantined here, but this is also the place where immigrants take their first steps toward the American dream. The live-in staff are mostly black Philadelphians, and when two of them arrange to marry, the city’s black community prepares for a party on its grounds. But the celebration is plunged into chaos when gunshots ring out across the river.

As Sylvia races to save the victim, the fates of Meda’s beloved orphans also converge on the Lazaretto. Long ago, one “brother” committed an unthinkable act to protect the other, sparking a chain of events that now puts the Lazaretto on lockdown. Here conflicts escalate, lies collapse, and secrets begin to surface; like dead men rising, past sins cannot be contained.

About this title

About the Author:

The author of the critically acclaimed novels Tumbling, Tempest Rising, Blues Dancing, Leaving Cecil Street, and Trading Dreams at Midnight, Diane McKinney-Whetstone is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Black Caucus of the American Library Association’s Literary Award for Fiction, which she won twice. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband. For more on Diane McKinney-Whetstone please visit www.mckinney-whetstone.com or follow her on Twitter @Dianemckwh.

Review:

“A perfect book for the end of the Obama era.... Incredibly daring.... McKinney-Whetstone’s trademark poetic prose is still as sharp as it has always been...without sacrificing plot and pacing.... I couldn’t be happier that McKinney-Whetstone has returned to show us all how it’s done.” (Washington Post)

“As in any Diane McKinney–Whetstone novel, there is love in all of its many facets and dimensions. The author shows that good writing is like a fine bottle of wine–it just gets better with time.” (Essence)

“When it comes to creating living and breathing characters, no one can touch Diane McKinney-Whetstone. Her new novel Lazaretto is no exception.... I suggest reading Lazaretto at the dinner table, because it will leave you full as your favorite meal.” (BuzzFeed Books)

“Vibrant.... Completely engaging.... A unique blend of poetic language and graphic depictions of the injustices suffered by African Americans in the post-Civil War period.” (Booklist (starred review))

“Language sings throughout the whole of McKinney-Whetstone’s writing―from the lilt of her characters’ colloquial speech to her poetic, visceral descriptions.... A sophisticated and compelling novel that comes alive through a rich cavalcade of vibrant characters and a suspenseful plot.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Whetstone’s novel explores a fictional crisis that begins in the neighborhood surrounding Philly’s Lazaretto Hospital after the Civil War.” (New York Post, “This Week’s Must–Read Books”)

“McKinney-Whetstone’s trademark poetic prose is still as sharp as it has always been...without sacrificing plot and pacing.... I couldn’t be happier that McKinney-Whetstone has returned to show us all how it’s done.” (Washington Post)

“Juggling a wide cast of characters, this book dives into family struggles, romance, Lincoln’s assassination, and the racial tensions simmering in post-Civil War Philadelphia. Perfect for fans of history and complicated, rich, character-driven stories.” (BookTrib.com)

“Once again, McKinney-Whetstone has managed to bring to life a wide range of characters whose triumphs and tribulations would never show up in a history book.” (BookPage)

“In this masterful work of historical fiction, Diane McKinney-Whetstone seamlessly transports us to Philadelphia in the aftermath of the Civil War and Lincoln’s assassination, beautifully evoking powerful stories of love, friendship and humanity amid the vibrant black community that flourished amid the troubled times.” (“Largehearted Boy”, 40 New Books in 2016 That’ll Make You Forget about Netflix)

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0062126962
• ISBN 13: 9780062126962
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352