This had such an interesting plot - relevant and eye opening. I was interested in the old diary and the past/present storytelling. But I found myself not connecting. It felt long, like there were just huge parts of info-dumping. The crux of the story was so fascinating, and such a great idea, but I found it buried in the details. It felt like there was a great pressure to be as close to a nonfiction, sticking to facts, that it lost the feel of a novel. I wish I'd liked it more but this one just didn't work for me.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

"The Catbird Seat" is a thoughtful and captivating story that delves into South Carolina's history. Set in 2000, it follows Gil, a white historian at the Caroliniana Library, who becomes aware of her limited knowledge of Black people's lived reality in her state during a protest to remove the Confederate flag. Interwoven with this is the diary of William Medlin, a poor white cotton farmer in pre-Civil War times, whose journey and desire for a better life for his sons are both gripping and poignant. While the 2000 narrative is didactic, the pre-Civil War part is truly captivating, showcasing the humanity of Medlin and Hutto, the Black man he purchases and eventually frees.

The author, Ms. Hollingsworth, expertly explores the interconnectedness of England's cotton demand, chattel slavery, and the struggles faced by poor farmers in South Carolina, shedding light on the enduring effects of slavery on modern-day Black Americans.

In dual timeline books, I tend to appreciate the historical part a bit more. That was certainly the case with this book as well. I found the “current “ timeline narrator quite annoying. There were several times she seemed to have a case of the “white savior” complex. While I actually loved the author note at the beginning of the book, I couldn’t find much sympathy for the character she wrote.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a chance to read and review this new book. I was beyond excited to read this book when I found out the historical story line took place one county away from me in South Carolina! I felt that the dual story lines were good but it was a little repetitive when it came to the current story line. This novel aroused my own feelings of racial inequality. I would recommend this book to all.

This was a challenging, thought provoking read. Rebecca Hollingsworth managed to weave stories of the past and present with well researched and detailed precision. I found this book to be a timely book.

i don’t have a lot to say about this one. i didn’t find it particularly engaging & actually skimmed through a good part of it — it felt a little too much like ‘alias grace’, but without margaret atwood’s compelling prose. the present timeline just didn’t do it for me, either — White People Who Suddenly Realize Racism Is Still A Thing isn’t my favorite literary trope, honestly.

told in alternating views from the past and present, It gives a different present. interesting book about how ones views can change.

I loved the use of the alternating chapters, I found both leads to work for the story and as real people. The story was really well done and Rebecca Hollingsworth has a beautiful writing style. I was invested in what was going on and the time-period stuff worked on all levels. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Hollingsworth.

"Mary Ellen had listened as both families came to the conclusion the home for wayward girls was the only way to deal with the situation. There was one thing she knew at that moment, that she was not going to go to some mountain hideaway for close to a year."