Red Clay

By: Charles B. Fancher

Narrated by: Dion Graham

An astounding multigenerational saga, Red Clay chronicles the interwoven lives of an enslaved Black family and their white owners as the Civil War ends and Reconstruction begins.

In 1943, when a frail old white woman shows up in Red Clay, Alabama, at the home of a Black former slave—on the morning following his funeral—his family hardly knows what to expect after she utters the words “… a lifetime ago, my family owned yours.” Adelaide Parker has a story to tell—one of ambition, betrayal, violence, and redemption—that shaped both the fate of her family and that of the late Felix H. Parker.

But there are gaps in her knowledge, and she’s come to Red Clay seeking answers from a family with whom she shares a name and a history that neither knows in full. In an epic saga that takes us from Red Clay to Paris, to the Côte d’Azur and New Orleans, human frailties are pushed to their limits as secrets are exposed and the line between good and evil becomes ever more difficult to discern. Red Clay is a tale that deftly lays bare the ugliness of slavery, the uncertainty of the final months of the Civil War, the optimism of Reconstruction, and the pain and frustration of Jim Crow.

With a vivid sense of place and a cast of memorable characters, Charles B. Fancher draws upon his own family history to weave a riveting tale of triumph over adversity, set against a backdrop of societal change and racial animus that reverberates in contemporary America. Through seasons of joy and unspeakable pain, Fancher delivers rich moments as allies become enemies, and enemies—to their great surprise—find new respect for each other.

©2025 Charles B. Fancher (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

Great narrator!

I enjoyed the well-told story (with unexpected twists), the character development, and the authenticity of each character’s voice. The reality of slave life is a part of history that should be heard and remembered by each one of us.

A Book I’ll long remember!

After listening to the book sample a few nights ago, I really jumped at the chance to purchase the audiobook and also order an online copy of the hard back for my library shelves. Both the story and narration are well told, and sincerely made me wanting more from this author and the performer.

Good story, strong characters

I enjoyed this story a lot, gave me a somewhat different perspective of the aftermath of slavery. I disliked that one seemingly great character turned out to be not so great!
I also felt like by the end, the narrator was somewhat overemphatic, over enunciating as though having a difficult time speaking a characters name. For example, especially when having to say “Felix said” at the end of a passage, it was clipped and stressed to a fault.

Loved every minute

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this outstanding historical novel. It is beautifully written and narrated.

Great book!

I enjoyed this book more than any I’ve heard (or read) in quite some time. The characters are incredibly well drawn, and the tension so genuine, I became lost in it.

I highly recommend it.

Very enjoyable!

This was a random purchase and I’m so glad I read this. Full of emotion, a good account of slavery and plantation era. I loved the characters and their resilience. Highly recommend! Great voice of the narrator.

A 5-Star Epic!

We're only two months into 2025, but this book is on my Top 5 list for the year. What an amazing story!! The narration was top tier, and instantly transported me to Red Clay, Alabama.