The Last Runaway

Threads of Freedom and Belonging

In The Last Runaway, bestselling author Tracy Chevalier transports readers from the close-knit Quaker community of 1850s England to the untamed fields of Ohio, where long-held convictions collide with the promise of a new beginning. When Honour Bright, a young spinner of linen and devoted member of her Yorkshire meeting, embarks on a journey to join her cousin’s household across the Atlantic, she carries more than her humble trunk—she bears the weight of pacifist principles, a secret yearning for purpose, and a gentle courage that offers hope to those she meets. Chevalier’s evocative prose brings every detail to life: from the scent of beeswax candles in Meeting House pews to the warm promise of sunrise over unbroken prairie.

Echoes of Justice and Compassion

Amid rolling cornfields and the roar of steamboats on the Ohio River, Honour’s quiet faith is tested by the stark realities of frontier life—and by the plight of escaped slaves seeking passage on the Underground Railroad. As she forms an unexpected bond with Samuel, a voiceless tracker whose own story is etched in scars, Honour must navigate a treacherous network of bounty hunters and shifting loyalties. Between clandestine midnight crossings and whispered prayers beneath star-filled skies, she discovers that true conviction requires action—and that love, like freedom, demands both risk and sacrifice. Chevalier’s richly drawn characters—staunch abolitionists, conflicted neighbors, and determined fugitives—illuminate the era’s fierce moral dilemmas and the unbreakable bonds of shared humanity.

Dawn of a New Legacy

In a stirring climax beneath towering sycamores and the first green flush of spring, Honour must decide whether to remain within the safety of her vows—or to follow her heart into a world forever changed by hope. With grace and unflinching honesty, The Last Runaway celebrates the quiet bravery of those who dare to stand against injustice, and reminds us that the path to freedom is paved by ordinary souls guided by extraordinary faith.

. Tracy Chevalier is a New York Times bestselling author acclaimed for her masterful blend of historical depth, lyrical storytelling, and unforgettable characters whose lives illuminate the enduring power of empathy and courage.