Yellow Crocus

by
No cover

Laila Ibrahim: Yellow Crocus (2014)

248 pages

English language

Published Nov. 21, 2014

ISBN:
978-1-4778-2475-7
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
876007714

View on OpenLibrary

4 stars (1 review)

"Moments after Lisbeth is born, she's taken from her mother and handed over to an enslaved wet nurse, Mattie, a young mother separated from her own infant son in order to care for her tiny charge. Thus begins an intense relationship that will shape both of their lives for decades to come. Though Lisbeth leads a life of privilege, she finds nothing but loneliness in the company of her overwhelmed mother and her distant, slave-owning father. As she grows older, Mattie becomes more like family to Lisbeth than her own kin and the girl's visits to the slaves' quarters--and their lively and loving community--bring them closer together than ever. But can two women in such disparate circumstances form a bond like theirs without consequence? This deeply moving tale of unlikely love traces the journey of these very different women as each searches for freedom and dignity" --Page 4 of cover.

2 editions

reviewed Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

Review of 'Yellow Crocus' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

I couldn't put this book down. Especially for the first half of it.

I've read about slavery and the horrible cruelties humans can justify inflicting on each other, but I'd never considered how white children were affected by that kind of society. Nor had I considered the plight of wet nurses and the relationship between them and the children put in their care.

A very eye opening read. Difficult at times, but worth it.


Note: there are some fairly graphic scenes in this book. They're not overly explicit in my opinion, but for those who appreciate prior warning there is some sexual content and a whipping scene.

Subjects

  • Race relations
  • Fiction
  • Slavery
  • Women slaves
  • Plantation life

Places

  • Southern States