The Last Runaway

I've just finished reading this book and loved it!
The cover doesn't do justice to the exquisite writing which it contains. Tracy Chevalier really researches her novels and this gave a vivid picture of life for a young, Quaker woman from Dorset in the 1850's emigrating to America, who finds herself part of the 'Underground Railroad' of helpers aiding slaves to escape from the southern states to Canada . She weaves her themes deftly -those of running away and running towards challenges appear in various guises as well as the tradition of quilting which binds the Quaker communities together. Yet alongside the gentle art of quilting the raw horror and hardships of the era are described lucidly.Neither is the heroine an idealistic role model of a Quaker woman but a realistic human being with faults, weaknesses and fears.
I rarely read books twice but this is one book which would make me consider a second read.