Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim– 229 pages
Book Blurb:
Growing up under the tender care of Mattie, Lisbeth adopts her surrogate mother’s deep-seated faith in God, her love of music and black-eyed peas, and the tradition of hunting for yellow crocuses in the early days of spring. In time, Lisbeth realizes she has freedoms and opportunities that Mattie does not have, though she’s confined by the societal expectations placed on women born to privilege. As Lisbeth grows up, she struggles to reconcile her love for her caregiver with her parents’ expectations, a task made all the more difficult as she becomes increasingly aware of the ugly realities of the American slavery system. When Lisbeth bears witness to a shockingly brutal act, the final vestiges of her naiveté crumble around her. Lisbeth realizes she must make a choice, one that will require every ounce of the courage she learned from her beloved Mattie.
My Review: 4 stars
Yellow Crocus is a compact story, yet long in emotion. Novels set during the pre-Civil War years have their moments of horror as we are transported to that shameful time period in American History.
The author shares the unique story of Lisbeth and Maddie. The former is the little daughter of the plantation owners, who treats her enslaved nineteen-year-old nanny with love, tenderness and respect. And Maddie, the young slave who is forced to leave her infant son to become Lisbeth’s wet nurse and caretaker.
Although their relationship is mostly hidden from Lisbeth’s parents, it’s very open amongst the slave hands. Lisbeth becomes more and more comfortable at the slave quarters and thus begins her own judgments and feelings about slavery.
Although the book is wrapped together neatly and doesn’t go into a lot of detail about other characters in the story, the reader won’t be disappointed. Fans of The Invention Of Wings and Kitchen House will like this novel.
Quotes I liked:
Focus on bearing, and beauty will follow. Your looks will not remain with you for life. But your bearing will go with you to the grave.”
-“May I come with you to Ohio? As your wife? I need a husband. You are not engaged. We both enjoy Shakespeare.”
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