Community Book Club鈥擳he Tobacco Wives
Are you looking to connect with others? Do you love reading all kinds of books? If you answered yes, the Community Book Club is for you!
This month鈥檚 book is The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers.
Maddie Sykes is a burgeoning seamstress who鈥檚 just arrived in Bright Leaf, North Carolina鈥攖he tobacco capital of the South鈥攚here her aunt has a thriving sewing business. After years of war rations and shortages, Bright Leaf is a prosperous wonderland in full technicolor bloom, and Maddie is dazzled by the bustle of the crisply uniformed female factory workers, the palatial homes, and鈥攎ost of all鈥攈er aunt鈥檚 glossiest clientele: the wives of the powerful tobacco executives.
When a series of unexpected events thrusts Maddie into the role of lead dressmaker for the town鈥檚 most influential women, she scrambles to produce their ornate gowns for the biggest party of the season. But she soon learns that Bright Leaf isn鈥檛 quite the carefree paradise that it seems: A trail of misfortune follows many of the women. Although Maddie is quick to believe that this is a coincidence, she inadvertently uncovers evidence that suggests otherwise.
Maddie wants to report what she knows, but in a town where everyone depends on Big Tobacco to survive, she doesn鈥檛 know who she can trust鈥攁nd fears that exposing the truth may destroy the lives of the proud, inspiring women with whom she has forged strong bonds.
Shedding light on the hidden history of women鈥檚 activism during the post-war period, at its heart, The Tobacco Wives is a deeply human, emotionally satisfying, and dramatic novel about the power of female connection and the importance of seeking truth.
The Community Book Club meets via Zoom, beginning October 5.
To register, send an email to community@iit.edu, and you will receive the meeting credentials.