Yellow Crocus Paperback – August 19, 2014

Goodreads Description- Mattie was never truly mine. That knowledge must have filled me as quickly and surely as the milk from her breasts. Although my family `owned' her, although she occupied the center of my universe, her deepest affections lay elsewhere. So along with the comfort of her came the fear that I would lose her some day. This is our story...So begins Lisbeth Wainwright's compelling tale of coming-of-age in antebellum Virginia. Born to white plantation owners but raised by her enslaved black wet nurse, Mattie, Lisbeth's childhood unfolds on the line between two very different worlds. 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. This compelling historical novel is a richly evocative tale of love, loss, and redemption set during one of the most sinister chapters of American history.This book was gripping from the word go. A freebie on Kindle a few weeks ago, I thought this might just be another book following the theme of the popular 'The Help' published a book and a made into a hit movie. What I didn't expect was to be dragged into the story until I couldn't help but keep turning the pages until the end. This wonderful debut novel, Yellow Crocus, follows the story of Mattie, a slave in pre-Civil War Virginia who is taken away from her young baby in order to act as wet nurse to Lisbeth, the daughter of the couple who owns her. Mattie must trust the care of her own newborn to the other field slaves while she spends her time in the Big House raising another woman's child. I was amazed and saddened at the same time that Lisbeth bonded with Mattie, a field hand, than she ever did with her own mother, Anne. Amazed at the irony that these so called "non-humans" were good enough to nurse a white baby from their "negro" breasts and to care for them through childhood and then that same child would grow up to learn the ugly racism of society. I was saddened that Lisbeth never did bond with her real mother and that her real mother was just fine with that. I was shocked during a scene in the book when Lizbeth's mother saw what nursing was and grimaced and stated it was "unseemly" Mattie eventually has another baby and is returned to the fields and not a day goes by that Lisbeth desperately misses her nurse. As Lisbeth grows and learns the ways of being a proper young woman of the South, she realizes that she feels different than most of her friends about the issue of slavery and finds herself troubled by the tug of war between her true feelings and what society deems appropriate.Ultimately this is a story of heartbreak and loss, love and loyalty. Above all, it is a story of slavery. Laila Ibrahim works hard to stay true to the characters she has created without letting it turn into yet another story of a white lady swooping down and fixing the problem of racism (bookstores and movie theatres are already overflowing with that story, told a hundred ways). She has been compared to Kathryn Stockett (The Help) but, frankly, Kathryn Stockett wishes. Laila Ibrahim does not turn her black characters into caricatures and her white characters into heroes. If I do have a criticism, however, it is that she does not go far enough into the grim reality of slavery and racism. She loses her nerve, wishes too much for her characters to all have resolutions that leave the reader feeling comforted and comfortable. However, even now in the 21st century, maybe society still isn't ready to hear or be reminded of our country's terrible past. I don't want to reveal too much, but I do think the story would have been even more powerful than it was if some of the characters, particularly Lisbeth, hadn't turned out to be quite so sympathetic so easily. I am certain that in the late 1800's, Lisbeth's sympathy would be met with much more bitterness than what was told. But either way, I do urge you to decide for yourself and read Yellow Crocus. If this is the first work of Ibrahim, I can only imagine what other wonderful treasures she will provide readers with in her future writings! 5 stars!

Author: Laila IbrahimPublished By: Flaming Chalice PressAge Recommended: AdultReviewed By: Arlena DeanRaven Rating: 4Blog Reviewed For: GMTAReview:"Yellow Crocus" by Laila Ibrahim was indeed a different read for me. As a African America I am very careful with any read about slavery however, I will say this was indeed a good, wonderful, touching and very emotional read. Once I started reading this historical novel I could not put it down.In the year of 1837, Lisbeth Wainwright was the daughter of a Virginia plantation owner that was reared by a black slave named Mattie. One of her favorite songs... 'Go to sleepy little baby, Go to sleepy little baby.' Truly, this Mattie was more of a mother to Lisbeth than her own mother (Mrs. Ann Wainwright).This was truly a travel though the life of Elizabeth (Lisbeth) and Mattie's journey through this time in history. This is a true story that did bring tears, other times a smile and then at times well.... A few weeks before Elizabeth's wedding she caught her fiance Edward with a black slave girl. Now how was she to get out of this wedding? What an explanation from her mothers on this subject...Wow! However, there is hope for Lisbeth.. .there is Matthew Johnson.The character's in "Yellow Crocus" were really interesting....helped bringing out this story of love, redemption, lost, and even hope. Can you believe who Lisbeth midwife was? You will just have to put up this read to find out the answers. Surprise!"Yellow Crocus" is definitely a novel that will cause to to think. and remember long after the read. I would like to thank the author was a honest awarding good read.

I very much enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Set in mid 1800s in the south, it is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.