Angels Make Their Hope Here

Angels Make Their Hope Here follows Dossie Bird, a young Black girl who escapes north via the Underground Railroad in the 1840s and finds refuge in Russell's Knob, New Jersey. This mixed-race mountain community operates as a haven and resistance space, with its own codes and ways of survival. The narrative centers on Dossie's life as she grows up under the protection of Duncan Smoot, a leader in this close-knit community. Through her experiences, readers witness the daily operations of Russell's Knob, where Native Americans, freed Blacks, and whites live in an uneasy but functional harmony away from mainstream society. The story encompasses both the relative safety of Russell's Knob and the dangers that lurk beyond its borders in an America defined by racial violence and division. The community must constantly balance preservation of their way of life with the realities of the outside world. Clarke's novel examines themes of chosen family, resistance, and the creation of sanctuary spaces in a hostile world. The book raises questions about the nature of freedom and what people will risk to protect those they love.

Readers describe this as a lyrical historical novel that brings to life a diverse community in 1840s New Jersey. Many note the rich details about the customs, food, and daily life of the Russell family and their neighbors. Readers appreciated: - Well-researched portrayal of the Underground Railroad - Complex family relationships and dynamics - Strong female characters, particularly Dossie - Authentic dialogue and dialect Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Some found the writing style overly descriptive - Side characters could use more development - Plot threads left unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (238 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (47 ratings) Sample reader comment: "The author creates such a vivid sense of place - I felt transported to the mountain community. But the narrative meandered at times and lost momentum." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers mentioned wanting more historical context about the real-life communities that inspired the story.

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🌟 The novel is set in a community called Russell's Knob, inspired by the real-life mixed-race settlements that existed in the Ramapo Mountains of New Jersey during the 19th century. 📚 Author Breena Clarke's novel "River, Cross My Heart" (1999) was an Oprah's Book Club selection and spent multiple weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. 🏃‍♀️ The book's protagonist, Dossie Bird, travels along a route similar to the Underground Railroad, but in reverse—moving from the South to New York City, and then to rural New Jersey. 🌳 The Ramapough Lenape Nation, who still inhabit the region where the book is set, maintain a distinct cultural identity blending Native American, African American, and Dutch ancestry. 💕 The title "Angels Make Their Hope Here" comes from a traditional blessing that reflects the book's themes of finding sanctuary and creating family in unexpected places.