I chose this book because I love Tracy Chevalier's stuff. And this book wasn't bad. But ... three chapters in, the main character was still describing how she stitches quilts ... in excruciating detail. In a book about the underground railroad, you would expect at least a little suspense and excitement, but this one was a snore until almost the very last chapter!

My group generally liked the book. We had an interesting discussion about Quakers, quilting, marriage, frontier America and Ohio. Most of us had read other books by Chevalier and there was a mixed review regarding \\\'The Last Runaway\\\'. For some this was their least favorite whereas for others it was one of the better books.

Chevalier's novel is both gripping and pleasant. The action centers around a Quaker woman who moves from England to America in search for new surroundings and a fresh start. What she finds is country in turmoil and fellow Quakers whose values have been compromised by circumstances. Although the story centers on a group of Quakers, as well as the runaway slaves that come to them for help, the story's themes will resonate with anyone who has every found themselves in a strange place, with people they don't fully understand. It is about learning to walk a mile in someone else's shoes and what it means to actually act on principles.

An interesting intersection of quaker culture and a historical picture of slavery in America. Characters were at times one dimensional and unconvincing. Chevalier has written better.

We all enjoyed the book and it created good discussion. We hadn't really read much about the Quakers or the Underground Railway. We enjoyed learning about both.