Customer Reviews

Wind Chimes and Promises

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Wind Chimes and Promises is the lovely and lovingly told story of the Knox-Adair family. The book, written in the voice of the author's mother, Prudence Knox Adair, chronicles Prudence's life from the age of nine in the year 1919, when, with her parents and brothers and sisters, she fled the family farm in Georgia after her father received threats from the Klu Klux Klan. The Knox family settled in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Prudence grew up, married, and raised her own children. The characters in these stories are unforgettable, ranging from the mysterious Miss Abigail, who helps the Knox family escape safely from Georgia, to fiesty Mama who keeps everyone in line. We meet Mr. Quiggels, who helps Prudence and her young daughter, Phyllis (the author), cope with the racial prejudice all too common in the 1940s and 50s, as well as Peter Lorre, who tries to persuade Prudence's husband, Morgan Adair, to work for him. In her book, Phyllis Adair shares with us her very real family (wrinkles included) with warmth, kindness, dignity, and love.

I was deeply touched by Ms. Adair's ability to share the history of her family in a way that recaptured days of my own youth and the joys I experienced with my family. Her story can be my story and the story of so many people. I cried at the sadness of the family leaving home for an unfamiliar place and the circumstance that lead to the move. I laughed at the sibling rivalry and I found myself smiling because it bought back so many childhood memories. I was reminded of how much fun it is to have a large family, even in the hard times. Wind Chimes and Promises was a joy from cover to cover. It brimes with family love and devotion; excitement as well as momemts of tenderness. It was the kind of reading that you couldn't stop until you were finished, and it left you wishing for more. I recommend it as a must read. I hope this will not be the last we hear from Ms. Adair, she is a gifted writer.

Reading "Wind Chimes and Promises" has been an honor. To read of the struggles of a family in the deep South, being forced out of their home by racism, touched me deeply.

Phyllis Adair writes with her heart as well as with the voice of her beloved Mother. She reaches back generations and weaves a story filled with the very soul of her family.

From the tenderness of her Grandfather, to the spunkiness of her Grandmother, the tale is one that paints a picture of life as it was in that generation.

Congratulations, Phyllis,on a job well done.

This book is a beautiful tribute to the author's heritage and family. Her characterization is very compelling and draws you in from the very first page. I started it on a Sunday afternoon and could not put it down! I highly recommend it.

"Wind Chimes And Promises", a well written story about a genuine loving and compassionate family. Ms. Adair wrote her heart out by taking her readers on a journey from Homer, Georgia(Banks County) to Indianapolis, Indiana. This was an excellent book. I pray Ms. Adair continue to share her God given talent with us.

This book was a wholesome story of a family's life spanning fifty years beginning in Georgia and ending in Indiana. Ms. Adair-Ward has done an excellent job drawing the reader into the joy and pain of her family. The story provided plenty of history about Indianapolis and the black community beginning in the early 1900's.
Will and Sally Knowx owned a large farm in Homer, Georgia where there was plenty of room to roam for a family of twelve. During the early 1900's the south of full of racism and klan activity were reported widely. The Knoxes were forced to leave their home,family members and friends behind when rumors surfaced that the klan were targetting Papa. After an altercation in town Papa quietly moved his family to Indianapolis, Indiana. Little did they know that the klan were moving their headquarters to Indiana about the same time.
Life for the family was different but their love sustained them.
Indianapolis was an exciting place to behold with all the bright street lights and the trolley. But there was not as space as in the south. There was talk about Riverside Amusement Park and its limited access to blacks. Segregation was alive and well in this city.
Papa Will was easy on the kids but Mama Sal was quite the disciplinary, despite her petite stature. She did not tolerate anyone messing with any of children. She had to pay a visit to the children's school early on to rectify a problem that had arisen with her boys.
They also had plenty of mischief shared by all the children. Prudence in particular was quite headstrong.
One incident in particular was when Prudence and her sister Blance had snuck off to the Douglas Theater to see an old friend perform. They had lied and said that they were going to a game at the school. Of course Mama Sal knew about the escapade. Nothing got past Mama Sal, she seemed to know everything.
Pick up a copy of this book to find out what became of the Knox family. It will truly be worth the money.

What a wonderful book. I have read, "Wind Chimes and Promises" twice. If any reader of this delightful book has an imagination; they must be able to here Sal's wind chimes. I laughed at the antics of the Knoxes boys. I cried upon the deaths of Papa and Sal. I understood what Pru. went through with her husband. This book delivered a message about a Black family. A Black family moving and adjusting to the life from a small southern city to Indianapolis. Mrs. Adair opened her heart, put pen to paper and shared the courage, endurance, perserverance and most of all love of a large family. Well done Mrs. Phyllis J. Adair.

What a delightful book! I have read this book at least two times, and it keeps getting better. How wonderfully unique Mrs. Adair writes. I not only read, "Wind Chimes and Promises" I went further, and placed myself in the mist of a large, close knit family. What a joy to read of the strengths portraid, and the Prayers of Sal and Pru. It is very obvious this author did excellent research. I cried when "Papa and Sal." died. I loved reading about the events from the dinners at the "Knoxes." Mrs. Adair has placed so much love and patience in this book, and the readers are all the better for it. A Black family movin and adjusting from life in the South to life in Indiana. This book exhibited endurance, perserverance and a lot of love. Well done Phyllis J. Adair.

Reading "Wind Chimes and Promises" has been an honor. To read of the struggles of a family in the deep South, being forced out of their home by racism, touched me deeply.

Phyllis Adair writes with her heart as well as with the voice of her beloved Mother. She reaches back generations and weaves a story filled with the very soul of her family.

From the tenderness of her Grandfather, to the spunkiness of her Grandmother, the tale is one that paints a picture of life as it was in that generation.

Congratulations, Phyllis,on a job well done.

"Wind Chimes and Promises", a wonderdul story written with witt and compassion. This is a moving story about a family in Georgia making their way to Indiana in rough and prejudice times. Leaving behind loved ones and dealing with the Klan was difficult and unjust. She touched my heart many times and made me laugh unexpectedly! This story is for people of all ages and I urge you to read it and enjoy!

Thank You, Ms. Adair