Madeline “Maddie” Sykes

Maddie is the protagonist and narrator of The Tobacco Wives. The novel takes place over the course of one summer when Maddie is fifteen. Maddie is used to spending her summers with Aunt Etta at Bright Leaf, though this one is unlike any that came before.

To begin, Maddie has enjoyed sewing ever since Aunt Etta taught her. When Daddy dies, she uses sewing to distract herself from her grief. She also uses it to support her and Momma after losing Daddy’s income. She enjoys their town and her friendship with April, making her unexpected move to Bright Leaf deeply upsetting.

Throughout the novel, Maddie grapples with Momma’s abandonment of her. Maddie resents being constantly on her guard around Aunt Etta and Mitzy lest she come across as ungrateful for their aid. David and Anthony are the two people Maddie feels the most comfortable...