Two Wings to Fly Away - (Two Wings Saga) by Penny Mickelbury (Paperback)

About the Book

When a young black girl is grabbed by rogue slave catchers in 1850s Philadelphia, a runaway slave and a reluctant heiress form an unlikely alliance--first out of necessity, then in friendship, and eventually into something much more.

Book Synopsis

In 1856 Philadelphia, a cross-dressing runaway slave named Genie Oliver uses her dress shop as a front for her work with the Underground Railroad. Reluctant white heiress Abby Read runs a rooming house, not only because she rejects the life of an idle society woman, but because she has no intention ever to marry a man. After the young daughter of Abby's free black servant, Maggie, is grabbed by rogue slave catchers and later recovered, Abby joins forces with Genie, a white Pinkerton's agent, and an unlikely cast of characters from all walks of life. Together, this diverse cadre of people risks everything to join forces with the great abolitionist Harriet Tubman in a dangerous effort to guide escaped slaves to freedom in Philadelphia. As racial and economic tensions simmer and boil over throughout Philadelphia and across the country, Abby and Genie discover a profound friendship, a shared purpose--and the promise of something more. Two Wings To Fly Away paints a stunning portrait of a divided nation hurtling toward Civil War, set against a backdrop of courage, community and the healing power of love.

Review Quotes

"Historical fiction like this doesn't come around often and it shouldn't be missed." --Tara Scott, Lambda Literary Review

"Penny Mickelbury writes with such elegant prose that she stands as one of America's more important literary artists of the day. She continues to have that magnetic ability to draw the reader into her well-sculpted storylines while at the same time creating a significant commentary on the issues she so rightly finds important, She is a powerful presence." --Grady Harp, San Francisco Review of Books

About the Author

PENNY MICKELBURY is the author of three successful mystery series and an award-winning playwright. She is a two-time Lambda Literary Award finalist, was a writer in residence at Hedgebrook Women Writers Retreat, and is a recipient of the Audre Lorde Estate Grant. In 2001 she was awarded the Gold Pen Award for Best Mystery/Thriller from the Black Writers Alliance, and the Prix du Roman d'Adventures from Les Éditions du Masque. Prior to focusing on literary pursuits, Penny was a pioneering newspaper, radio and television reporter, based primarily in Washington, D.C., wrote journalistic non-fiction, and was a frequent contributor to such publications as Black Issues Book Review, Africana, and the Washington Blade.