Freedom's Song: A Novel

I loved this book. The storyline is very true to life, with what could have happened over a century ago, but also still happens today, in third world countries (indentured service, mostly as servants or nannies) and even in the music/movie industry in the West. If Fanny's father had been literate and able to read the contract he would have realised that it said she was to serve 7 years for each of 5 family members rather, than for the whole family. However many literate people don't read the small print in contracts nowadays, resulting in untold suffering. God's hand and providence was clearly evident in Fanny's deliverance but also in her being in the right place to help the escaped slaves. I would have loved to know whether they made it to Canada and freedom. The best of Kim's books in my opinion.

Fanny Beck is an indentured servant for Sloan Kirkpatrick, a riverboat captain. Fanny’s father indentured her in exchange for passage for the rest of his family to America. Unfortunately, Fanny’s father did not realize the fine print indentured Fanny for seven years for each family member which is 35 years instead of the seven Fanny believes. When a fire on the ship gives Fanny a chance to escape, she grabs it. It sends her on a journey where she encounters people in need including Walter Kuhn, a widower with a young daughter. Walter needs someone to watch his daughter until his mail order bride arrives. Fanny wants to get to New York to reunite with her family, but she needs to earn more funds for the train ride. In the meantime, Sloan is scouring the Midwest looking for a singer for his riverboat. What is God’s plan for Fanny? Freedom’s Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartwarming historical novel. I thought it was well-written with realistic, developed characters. Sloan is an opportunistic riverboat captain who takes advantage of a man’s inability to read or write. Fanny is a sweet woman who has led a hard life. She just wants to rejoin her family whom she has not seen in seven years. Fanny is a woman of great faith. She relies on God to direct her journey. The romance element is sweet. I like that it happened slowly and was not rushed. I enjoyed the “embarrassing” moments between Fanny and Walter. This is a clean story which I appreciated (no intimate situations or foul language). The theme of freedom (physical, emotional, and spiritual) was woven throughout the story. It was well-done. I wish there had been an update on Enoch and his family. They were such wonderful characters and I wanted to know how their journey ended. I liked that the story had emotion, suspense, romance, drama, and faith. There is some predictability to the story, but that did not diminish my reading pleasure. I can tell the author did her research for this story. She captured the time period and included good details that enhance the story (the difficulties of traveling by stagecoach for example). Freedom’s Song is an inspiring, emotional story that was a joy to read.

It is not often that you read a book of this magnitude! Freedom's Song is an inspiring, emotional, spiritual journey. Kim Vogel Sawyer allows the reader to travel with the character, Fainche "Fanny" Beck, on her journey from riverboat singer to housewife. Along the way Fanny encounters escaped slaves, underground railroad workers, friendly and unfriendly people on her journey. Always she is mindful of God's purpose for her life. The story begins with Fanny singing on a riverboat, the River Peacock. At the age of fourteen she is indentured to Sloan Kirkpatrick in exchange for bringing her family from Scotland to America. Now seven years later, Sloan has no intention of releasing Fanny. When the ship catches fire, Fanny has the opportunity to leave her cabin and is accidentally knocked overboard. Her journey home begins and what a journey it is. I loved reading Fanny's story. This is a beautiful story of love, hope, charity and faith. I definitely recommend this book as a must-read! Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book!