The Fallen Fruit - by Shawntelle Madison (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Combining history and fantasy, a sweeping multi-generational epic in the vein of Kindred and The Time Traveler's Wife about a woman who travels through time to end a family curse that has plagued her ancestors for generations.

On a rainy day in May 1964, history professor Cecily Bridge-Davis begins to search for the sixty-five acres of land she inherited from her father's family. The quest leads her to uncover a dark secret: In every generation, one offspring from each Bridge family unit vanishes--and is mysteriously whisked back in time. Rules have been established that must be followed to prevent dire consequences:

Never interfere with past events.

Always carry your free Negro papers.

Search for the survival family packs in the orchard and surrounding forest. The ribbon on the pack designates the decade the pack was made to orient you in time.

Do not speak to strangers unless absolutely necessary.

With only a family Bible and a map marked with the locations of mysterious containers to aid her, Cecily heads to the library, hoping to discover the truth of how this curse began, and how it might be ended. As she moves through time, she encounters a circle of ancestors, including Sabrina Humbles, a free Black woman who must find the courage to seize an opportunity--or lose her heart; Luke Bridge, who traverses battlefields, slavery, and time itself to reunite with his family; Rebecca Bridge, a mother tested by an ominous threat; and Amelia Bridge, a young woman burdened with survivor's guilt who will face the challenge of a lifetime--and change Cecily's life forever. It is a race through time and against the clock to find the answers that will free her family forever.

Shawntelle Madison's historical fiction debut is an enthralling, page-turning family saga about the inevitability of fate, the invincibility of love, and the indelible bonds of family.

Review Quotes

"What a clever, brilliant tale. Every time I thought I had the mystery of the Bridges puzzled out, Shawntelle Madison surprised me with another twist of this family's tangled roots. I've seldom read such a unique novel--or one so eloquent and thoughtful, with so much to say about the complexities of generational trauma and the importance of understanding one's own ancestors. The Fallen Fruit will stay with me for a very long time." -- Olivia Hawker, bestselling author of One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow

"What an amazing debut novel! The Fallen Fruit follows members of the Bridge family as they cope with a curse that hits every generation. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down! I am in awe of the amount of research Shawntelle Madison put into The Fallen Fruit. She covers several historical periods in this one story. I felt like I was immersed in each distinct setting as I read. All I can say is: More please!"
-- Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms

"A mesmerizing tale of a family bound by an extraordinary curse--an uncontrollable ability to fall backwards in time. Spanning generations, their saga weaves a rich tapestry of American history, from the Revolutionary War to the brink of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. I loved this book. I wish I could go back in time to read it again for the first time."
-- Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

"A captivating historical fantasy, Madison's novel The Fallen Fruit, is an epic multi-generational tale you don't want to miss! When Cecily Bridge-Davis discovers a family curse sends one Bridge from every generation back in time, it's a race to find the cause before Fate claims her too. In this meticulously researched and beautifully written novel, Madison sweeps us on an adventure through time and history with characters you'll love and secrets you can't wait to uncover."
-- Eliza Knight, USA Today and international bestselling author of Can't We Be Friends

"A brilliantly written, spellbinding, and timeless tale spanning decades and centuries."
-- Rochelle Alers, national bestselling author of Hideaway

"In The Fallen Fruit, Shawntelle Madison delivers an Octavia Butler-esque page-turning saga about a family bound by blood and the chains of history. This brilliantly imaginative and wildly unpredictable novel is riveting and revelatory."

-- Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Madam Secretary

"A crafty, page-turning spin on chronicling Black family history. . . . Madison shows considerable skill and narrative control. To her credit, it's hard not to be reminded of Octavia Butler's Kindred, as well as The Time Traveler's Wife and some of Ray Bradbury's time-displacement stories." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Madison weaves in details from her own history and the real Free State to ground the more fabulous elements and give this world a fascinating depth. The family mystery, the generations spanned, and the misfortunes Cecily learns about will also appeal to fans of intricate, multigenerational tales like Gabriel García Márquez's classic One Hundred Years of Solitude." -- Booklist

"Madison expertly navigates the time jumps, weaving together a robust shared history for the Bridge family. Fans of complex historical speculative fiction will be pleased." -- Publishers Weekly

"A poignant and beautifully realized journey through time." -- Historical Novel Society

"The Fallen Fruit is a siren--a warning to prepare for the possibility of tragedy that may move society backward. But it is just as much a beacon of hope, illustrating the resilience of Black people who can endure, persevere, and thrive, just as history has proven time and time again." -- Chicago Review of Books

"An engaging take on freedom and free will." -- Christian Science Monitor

"If you're a history buff, and value the lived experience of those who have gone ahead of us, The Fallen Fruit is definitely the read for you." -- Essence