The Fallen Fruit

A Novel

By: Shawntelle Madison

Narrated by: Robin Miles, Adenrele Ojo

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.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Interesting concept

I really enjoyed the story of a Blk American family some of whom were afflicted with unwanted and unexpected time travel. There are few stories that follow Blk American families from the 1700s to more modern times. This story crosses back in time and forward and traces the path of descendants and their ancestors as they cross backward in time.

I did NOT enjoy the narrators attempts at mimicking a Southern accent. There are actors and actresses who can perform good Southern accents ( of which there are multiple regional dialects) but these 2 narrators are not part of that group. They sounded ridiculous and sometimes clownish. I still listened to the whole book bc it was interesting.

I couldnt follow the story

The storyline jumped around too much. I couldnt follow the back and forth between several eras.