'Bodden's absorbing page-turner maintains its suspense right up to the final pages.' Sunday Express
____________________

Sarah Campbell has always known she was different.

A slave at Allen Estates, Alabama, and the illegitimate daughter of the plantation owner Mr Allen, she's used to the other children's jibes, her mother's night-time trips to Mr Allen and, to her delight, her furtive literacy lessons with her white half-sister Clarissa.

Slowly, using her forbidden knowledge of reading and writing, Sarah plots an escape to the north and freedom. But Sarah's life is turned upside-down when she learns she will be given to Clarissa's cruel, soon-to-be-husband as a wedding gift, becoming his property.

Sarah knows this could be her last chance to escape for good. But will her secret skills and unrelenting willpower be enough to set her free?
_____________________________

READERS LOVE THE WEDDING GIFT:
'Absolutely spellbinding'
'I couldn't put it down'
'Loved every page.'
'A great read, a wonderful story.'
'Genuinely could not stop reading this book.'
'This was the most enjoyable book I have read in a long time.'
'A very good read and would recommend.'
'A compelling read with a twist at the end.'
'I read this book in two days. You won't be disappointed.'

Set in the Deep South pre Gone with the Wind and the Civil War, The Wedding Gift is a compelling and powerful story of slavery, abuse and passion. Perfect for fans of The Help.

About the Author

Marlen Suyapa Bodden is a lawyer at The Legal Aid Society in New York City - the nation's oldest law firm for low-wage and immigrant workers - and an anti-war, anti-slavery, and anti-death penalty activist. She drew on her knowledge of modern and historical human rights abuses to write The Wedding Gift, her first novel and an international Wall Street Journal bestseller. Bodden is a graduate of New York University School of Law and Tufts University. She now lives in Connecticut with her husband.

Visit www.marlenbodden.com for the history behind The Wedding Gift in photographs, illustrations, maps, and a bibliography. Follow her on Facebook at /marlensuyapabodden and Twitter @marlenbodden.

Reviews
Bodden's absorbing page-turner maintains its suspense right up to the final pages, when there's one last surprise for those hoping for a happy ending. * Sunday Express *
A powerful and engaging tale of slavery, passion and the quest for freedom. * www.candis.co.uk *
Stunning debut...Bodden weaves a page-turning tangled web of misogyny, greed, scandal and violence in this powerful story about races colliding against the backdrop of America's darkest era. * Publisher's Weekly starred review *
As educational as it is compelling...Bodden writes with delicacy...An inspiring read for historical fiction fans, especially those who like strong female narrators. * Booklist *
Sure to become 2013's sleeper hit... * Ebony Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9780099579984
Author Marlen Suyapa Bodden
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Arrow Books Ltd
Publisher Cornerstone
Weight(grams) 287g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 25mm