Lalita Tademy was vice president of Sun Microsystems until she left corporate life to research the history of her family. The result of her two-year search is Cane River, a novel which quickly became both a New York Times best-seller and an Oprah's Book Club¨ selection. Cane River is an isolated community that lies on a small river in central Louisiana. There in the early 19th century, slaves, free people of color, and Creole French planters lived and worked, loved and bore children. And there, 165 years later, Tademy discovers her amazing heritage. Beginning with her great-great-great-great grandmother, a slave owned by a Creole family, Tademy chronicles four generations of strong, determined black women. A combination of meticulously-researched genealogy and superb storytelling makes Cane River a truly unique experience. As the author peels back layers of racial and cultural attitudes, she paints a remarkable picture of rural Louisiana and the resilient spirit of one unforgettable family.

Recommended to book clubs by 4 of 4 members.