2 Wings To Fly Away

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· 60 ratings · 17 reviews

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Dec 28, 2019 Tara rated information technology really liked it

The character work is deep in 2 Wings to Wing Away, especially for Genie and Ezra. Nosotros become to know them very well and understand what makes them tick, while also getting a taste of what life would have been like for a runaway slave and a white person who would assistance to protect them. Crucial to the character evolution for Genie and some side characters are brief flashbacks into experiences that are foundational to who they are in the present day. These snippets themselves are like episodes of a The grapheme work is deep in Two Wings to Fly Away, specially for Genie and Ezra. Nosotros get to know them very well and understand what makes them tick, while also getting a taste of what life would have been like for a runaway slave and a white person who would help to protect them. Crucial to the graphic symbol development for Genie and some side characters are brief flashbacks into experiences that are foundational to who they are in the present twenty-four hours. These snippets themselves are like episodes of a spin-off show and are merely as gripping as the rest of the book.

Total review: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2019/0...

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Gripping, emotional, and suspenseful! This book features an endearing cast of characters centered around Genie, an escaped slave living in 1850'southward Philadelphia. Found family, the Hugger-mugger Railroad, romance, and then much more than! Gripping, emotional, and suspenseful! This book features an endearing cast of characters centered around Genie, an escaped slave living in 1850's Philadelphia. Found family, the Hush-hush Railroad, romance, and so much more! ...more than

Sep 29, 2019 Heather Jones rated information technology really liked it

Penny Micklebury braids together the historic, romance, and thriller genres in a story about personal and racial relationships and establish family unit in Philadelphia on the eve of the Civil State of war. Eugenia Oliver (who sometimes operates equally Eugene) escaped slavery and navigated the complexities of establishing herself equally a professional seamstress and supporting less fortunate community members while as well participating in the Underground Railroad. Some of her priorities alter when risk brings her togeth Penny Micklebury braids together the historic, romance, and thriller genres in a story about personal and racial relationships and found family in Philadelphia on the eve of the Civil War. Eugenia Oliver (who sometimes operates equally Eugene) escaped slavery and navigated the complexities of establishing herself as a professional seamstress and supporting less fortunate customs members while likewise participating in the Underground Railroad. Some of her priorities change when chance brings her together with Abigail Read, a wealthy woman who traded the expectations of high guild to turn her family home into a boarding house. Initially, the ii are allies in solving a mysterious disappearance, merely then they fall in dearest and things go more complicated.
Micklebury depicts the gratis blackness customs of Philadelphia in vivid detail, including the layered complications of navigating a society that isn't as free as it pretends to be. (Note: Micklebury is black and specifically focuses on telling black women's stories across the whole range of genres she writes in.) Her descriptive prose painted the setting then you could feel the cobblestones and the bite of the winter chill. Eugenia is a complex and engaging character and I look forward to reading more virtually her. (A sequel is obviously in the works.) The multiple layers of the plot kept the story moving forward (even when they didn't quite connect with each other) without backgrounding the romantic thread.
There were a few aspects of the story that worked less well for me. The bespeak of view was a bit erratic and I often had to re-read passages to be clear whose emotions we were feeling. The economical and social context of Abigail Read felt out of sync with my understanding of upper grade white guild of the time. (An unmarried woman who had enough wealth to be sought after equally a married woman probably wouldn't demand to catechumen her dwelling into a boarding house to back up herself.) And the romance between Eugenia and Abby felt rushed in the commencement, peculiarly for two women experiencing their first same-sex attraction. But overall, this was a delightful read and adds some valuable diversity to the field of f/f historicals.
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May 21, 2019 Grady rated it it was amazing

A brilliant novel!

California author Penny Mickelbury, a fifth Georgian formerly from Atlanta, Georgia, writes novels that are not only finely honed stories simply also strike out at stereotypes of racism, feminism, homophobia and other evils we still confront today. Her ability to write with a sense of reportage is likely secondary to her career experiences of serving as a newspaper, radio and tv set reporter. Her articles and books accept resulted in multiple impressive awards - Lambda Literary Awar

A bright novel!

California author Penny Mickelbury, a fifth Georgian formerly from Atlanta, Georgia, writes novels that are not only finely honed stories merely also strike out at stereotypes of racism, feminism, homophobia and other evils we still confront today. Her ability to write with a sense of reportage is likely secondary to her career experiences of serving as a newspaper, radio and goggle box reporter. Her articles and books have resulted in multiple impressive awards - Lambda Literary Awards, Gold Pen Award of the National Blackness Writers Alliance, and many more. Ii WINGS TO FLY is her 15 novel

The synopsis of this splendid novel is offered as follows: 'In 1856 Philadelphia, a cross-dressing runaway slave named Genie Oliver uses her apparel shop as a front for her work with the Secret Railroad. Reluctant white heiress Abby Read runs a rooming firm, not merely because she rejects the life of an idle society adult female, but because she has no intention ever to marry a human. Later on the young girl of Abby's free blackness retainer, Maggie, is grabbed by rogue slave catchers and later recovered, Abby joins forces with Genie, a white Pinkerton'due south agent, and an unlikely cast of characters from all walks of life. Together, this diverse core of people risks everything to join forces with the groovy abolitionist Harriet Tubman in a dangerous endeavor to guide escaped slaves to freedom in Philadelphia. While racial and economic tensions simmer and boil over throughout Philadelphia and across the country, Abby and Genie discover a profound friendship, a shared purpose….and the promise of something more.'

It would be difficult to summarize this impressive volume ameliorate. Of course the readers must immerse themselves in Penny's writing to gain the riches contained in that location. Penny writes with such elegant prose that she stands as one of America's more important literary artists of the solar day. She continues to have that magnetic ability to fatigued the reader into her well sculpted story lines while at the same time creating a meaning commentary on the problems she so rightly finds of import, She is a powerful presence. Highly recommended.

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Dec 21, 2019 Eastward.A. rated it it was astonishing

The story is a triumph to show what can happen when we encounter the truthful character inside a person. Set in Philadelphia in the 1850s when slavery was still legal. Mickelbury introduces us to a cast of characters not to be forgotten. A talented seamstress who passes as a human being when needed; a Scottish ex-Pinkerton agent; runaway slaves, abolitionists; and the blackmailers; slave catchers and owners they fight confronting. The volume features forbidden romance, and offers u.s.a. the true version of a chosen family. The story is a triumph to show what tin can happen when we see the true character inside a person. Set in Philadelphia in the 1850s when slavery was nevertheless legal. Mickelbury introduces the states to a cast of characters not to be forgotten. A talented seamstress who passes every bit a human being when needed; a Scottish ex-Pinkerton amanuensis; runaway slaves, abolitionists; and the blackmailers; slave catchers and owners they fight against. The volume features forbidden romance, and offers us the truthful version of a chosen family. All told in Mickelbury's eloquent prose, the story immerses us the history and the culture of the time. I highly recommend information technology. ...more

Sep 08, 2019 Carol Douglas rated information technology really liked it

Two Wings to Wing Away is a fine historical novel about runaway formerly enslaved people living in Philadelphia in the 1850s. The story feels accurate and well-researched, and the writing flows beautifully. Mickelbury, an African American novelist and journalist, writes believable and exciting dialogue.

This is a lesbian novel, which I like, simply I similar even more that the lesbian feelings of two characters are portrayed subtly. Mickelbury eschews sex scenes, and I appreciate that. She makes a rel

Ii Wings to Wing Away is a fine historical novel nigh runaway formerly enslaved people living in Philadelphia in the 1850s. The story feels accurate and well-researched, and the writing flows beautifully. Mickelbury, an African American novelist and journalist, writes believable and exciting dialogue.

This is a lesbian novel, which I like, but I like even more that the lesbian feelings of ii characters are portrayed subtly. Mickelbury eschews sexual activity scenes, and I capeesh that. She makes a relationship real just by including what the characters say to each other when they wake upwards in the morn.

The primary character, Genie Oliver, is an African American woman who sometimes passes for a human. She doesn't want to be a man -- she just wants to be prophylactic in a society where African American women are ever at chance. She has escaped from enslavement and become a forcefulness to reckon with in the African American office of Philadelphia.

Many other African American characters work secretly with Genie to help others escape from slavery and larn the skills they will need every bit free people.

Three white characters, one of them Abby, the adult female who becomes Genie'southward lover, are decent human beings who are appalled past slavery and willing to work against it. There are also savage characters who uphold slavery.

This is a compelling book that leaves me eager to read the sequel.

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Jan 02, 2021 Heidi rated it liked it

It'south a fast-paced story that had me almost glued to the pages. The writing manner wasn't entirely my affair, just that didn't affair. It was a skillful story with a heavy subject, lots of positive extroverts and not enough gay moments.

(2.5)

may come back and rerate since i'k on the fence about rounding up or downwards

Rep: Black sapphic mc, sapphic li, Blackness side characters

CWs: menstruation typical racism, racial slurs, violence, descriptions of past slavery

(ii.5)

may come back and rerate since i'm on the fence about rounding up or down

Rep: Blackness sapphic mc, sapphic li, Black side characters

CWs: period typical racism, racial slurs, violence, descriptions of past slavery

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Jan 30, 2020 Nikki Angel rated it it was amazing

Fabulous Historic Read.

Interesting characters and a period of history I am not familiar with. Learned so much, but it didn't feel that fashion. So glad to know a sequel is in the works.

Fabled Historic Read.

Interesting characters and a period of history I am not familiar with. Learned so much, simply information technology didn't feel that way. So glad to know a sequel is in the works.

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Aug 21, 2019 Flo rated it really liked it

3.5: I had no idea what to wait when I found this at the library, but I was intrigued past the back cover description of a "cantankerous-dressing runaway slave," "a white heiress," and "an unlikely cast of characters from all walks of life" joining together in pre-Civil War Philadelphia. I idea I was picking upwardly a f/f romance, only it's mostly historical fiction with a little bit of hazard—it can best exist described every bit slice of life. The volume follows Genie & Abby, the same runaway slave & h 3.5: I had no thought what to look when I institute this at the library, simply I was intrigued by the back comprehend description of a "cross-dressing runaway slave," "a white heiress," and "an unlikely bandage of characters from all walks of life" joining together in pre-Ceremonious War Philadelphia. I thought I was picking up a f/f romance, just information technology'due south by and large historical fiction with a little bit of adventure—it can all-time be described as slice of life. The book follows Genie & Abby, the aforementioned delinquent slave & heiress respectively, and the people they meet. As a historical fiction book, I'd recommend it. It deals with hard topics, but it gives its characters room to be people & non subjects of history, with lots of space for nuance and family and friendship.

The start felt very slow to me, I think partly considering I was expecting more of an adventure/romance volume. But once I settled into Mickelbury'due south observational writing style, the pacing seemed to ameliorate. It all the same lagged at places, and I think information technology could have used tighter editing for details/situations that didn't move the plot along. (But that was as well role of its charm, so I'm not certain. ) The truthful jewel of the book is the character and their friendships. There are quite a lot of characters for a 240 page volume, just they each feel distinct and very real. I loved that none of them were perfect, even when they were all (trying to be) good. I actually grew to care for the characters & their stories.

As for the romance, it'due south very, very background. I wish information technology had been explored more because information technology felt very rushed. Plus Mickelbury doesn't really go into what it would await similar for a white woman and a black adult female to exist together. Evidently there were lesbian & queer women back so, just this is an interracial relationship, so I remember some acknowledgement of how that human relationship was going to be presented to the outside world was necessary for me. And that's not only for queer relationships, but I recollect for any human relationship in whatsoever book that exists outside of "acceptable" has to be somewhat explained or else it just feels similar a figment of the authors imagination. Even a brief one judgement bated would exercise, particularly in a volume like this where the romance is non central.

Bottom line: recommended if looking for slice-of-life historical fiction set up in pre-Civil War Philadelphia with f/f relationship.

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Apr 13, 2021 Southward.S rated it actually liked it

Penny Mickelbury is a storyteller who can have circuitous problems and throw lite on them in a way that educates, entertains and makes you lot remember. In this story she sheds light on what life was like for African American persons both gratuitous born, slave and ex-slave in the tense flow before the American Ceremonious War. This was a thoroughly engaging read and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters multi-layered and well divers. The story full of hooks making me want to read to the terminate to meet what happens. T Penny Mickelbury is a storyteller who can take complex issues and throw light on them in a way that educates, entertains and makes you think. In this story she sheds light on what life was like for African American persons both free born, slave and ex-slave in the tense menses before the American Civil War. This was a thoroughly engaging read and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters multi-layered and well defined. The story full of hooks making me want to read to the end to see what happens. The words will stay with me and I look forward to the sequel promised.

If you like historical novels and enjoy seeing history through a point of view missing upwards till now y'all should definitely give this a read.

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Jul 04, 2022 Cris rated it information technology was amazing

Well written and enjoyable read. I am a big fan of historical novels and accept found this i very entertaining.
The descriptions are swell, I tin can still feel the common cold through my basic!
I just missed a petty more than context between Genie and Abby's relationship, their relationship is quite subtle and at start, it doesn't make much sense. Simply since you lot end up loving the characters, you are able but to forget those details and but assume that things are like they are.
I wait forward to a sequel! Well written and enjoyable read. I am a big fan of historical novels and have found this one very entertaining.
The descriptions are great, I tin can still feel the cold through my bones!
I only missed a little more than context between Genie and Abby's relationship, their relationship is quite subtle and at offset, information technology doesn't make much sense. Merely since you end up loving the characters, you are able merely to forget those details and just assume that things are like they are.
I look forward to a sequel! ...more

Oct 06, 2020 Cristina rated it it was amazing

The DC Lez Reads grouping is having the author nowadays at the next meeting about this volume! I loved it for the author's gentle presentation of tough topics. We meet the amazing Genie Oliver when she's dressed as her modify ego Eugene in men's clothing so she can more safely walk the streets of Philadelphia in the 1850s. We acquire she escaped slavery in Maine and forged her new life and becomes a community leader and she'due south only in her early 20s. She befriends a white ally who helps with her many endea The DC Lez Reads grouping is having the writer present at the next meeting near this book! I loved it for the author's gentle presentation of tough topics. We meet the amazing Genie Oliver when she's dressed equally her alter ego Eugene in men's wear then she can more safely walk the streets of Philadelphia in the 1850s. We learn she escaped slavery in Maine and forged her new life and becomes a community leader and she's only in her early on 20s. She befriends a white ally who helps with her many endeavors including serving the Underground Railroad. She meets a white adult female who runs a boarding house and they develop a repose dearest affair that their circle of friends supports. The characters are rich and the tale is a well told. ...more than

Wonderful telling of a time in history that we continue to relive

Ms. Micklebury weaves you into a fourth dimension that many Americans learn about but never truly understand. Her characters are idea provoking , surviving and some even thriving in extraordinary situations that were real.

More historical than romance

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism & racial slurs
Slavery mentioned

Aug thirty, 2021 Deborah rated it liked it

I'm enjoying the history but find the writing a fleck stilted and some errors annoying. How could Ezra know Eugene is Miss Eugenia in the early pages of the book when he'southward never met her every bit such?

Having seen the movie "Harriett" with its many scenes in Philadelphia adds to the visual imagining while reading this volume. I'll give it three stars for its subject and characters simply was aggravated constantly by the writing fashion …repetitive, sometimes confusing. I volition read the sequel she'south planning on wr

I'm enjoying the history but detect the writing a chip stilted and some errors annoying. How could Ezra know Eugene is Miss Eugenia in the early on pages of the book when he's never met her as such?

Having seen the movie "Harriett" with its many scenes in Philadelphia adds to the visual imagining while reading this book. I'll give it three stars for its subject field and characters but was aggravated constantly past the writing manner …repetitive, sometimes disruptive. I will read the sequel she'southward planning on writing to observe out how they all fare because I did go fastened to the characters and in that location volition be more history.

I learned about this author through a multifariousness in crime fiction programme presented by AACPL (Anne Arundel Canton Public Library, MD).

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Mickelbury is a old newspaper, radio and telly reporter based primarily in Washington, D.C. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, she lives in Los Angeles. The novelist and former journalist also is an accomplished playwright whose work has won awards. Two of her Mimi Patterson/Gianna Maglione novels are Lammy finalists. She is the recipient of the Audre Lorde Estate Grant, and she had a residency Mickelbury is a sometime newspaper, radio and television reporter based primarily in Washington, D.C. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, she lives in Los Angeles. The novelist and former journalist also is an accomplished playwright whose work has won awards. 2 of her Mimi Patterson/Gianna Maglione novels are Lammy finalists. She is the recipient of the Audre Lorde Manor Grant, and she had a residency at the Hedgebrook Women Writers colony. ...more

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