The Tobacco Wives

 Adele Myers grew up in North Carolina which is also the setting in the historical fiction novel called The Tobacco Wives. This story is set in a town called Bright Leaf which is the center of the tobacco world. The main character is a high school girl named Maddie. The year is 1946 and Maddie's father was killed in World War Two. With no warning, Maddie's mother wakes her up in the middle of the night and drives her to Bright Leaf to live with her Aunt who is the best seamstress in town. This is June and also her Aunt's busiest time of the year because her clients, the "tobacco wives," want dresses made for the tobacco gala in June. Maddie has spent summer months with her Aunt before. Maddie enjoys sewing and plans to study fashion design in the future. The Aunt is surprised by the sudden visit but welcomes Maddie while the mother takes off to unknown parts. Maddie starts helping her Aunt with the sewing. When her Aunt suddenly falls seriously ill with measles, Maddie tries to pitch in to finish the dresses her Aunt has started. Mrs. Winston, one of the tobacco wives, invites Maddie to move into her house temporarily and she also sets up a sewing studio with a brand new Singer sewing machine. The story is about the things the tobacco industry kept hidden from it's customers, corporate greed, and the strength and integrity of women like Maddie who won't keep secrets. Maddie especially won't keep secrets from young women who are trying to birth healthy children. This book was emotionally satisfying to read. I am sure glad I quit smoking 39 years and 11 months ago.