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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I had never heard about the background of indigo in the colonies, and this book had so many insights and researched facts. I even read it while in South Carolina, where Eliza lived and began to harvest indigo. So it was a perfect setting as I was practically there! XD
A great read for any historical lover
A great read for any historical lover
Powerful female historical fiction. I rooted for her the whole time!
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
informative
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
In the mid-1700's Eliza Lucas, still a child, settles in South Carolina with her family from Antigua. When she reaches age 16, her father finds it necessary to leave the family and return to their holdings in Antigua so that he can move forward in his attempt to become the English Governor there. Her brothers are away at boarding school, her mother is unfit to handle it, and so Eliza is given the responsibility of running the planation in South Carolina.
Educated, intelligent and head strong, Eliza takes on the challenge. With her love for botany, she is the perfect fit. Society shuns her, no woman should be in charge, and besides that she treats her slaves like humans. Eliza ambitions eventually lead to Indigo becoming the major export of the South Carolina Colony.
This HF is about a real woman who took the reigns to save her planation by learning more about the planting and processing of Indigo. Eliza plans to save her plantation with the crop, but needs guidance from the slaves, some who are willing to help, some not so much. It is an interesting story, but I wish there had been more information about the later years of Eliza and the industry.
A wonderful coming of age story that told me about a woman I knew nothing about. Recommended for HF and History fans
Educated, intelligent and head strong, Eliza takes on the challenge. With her love for botany, she is the perfect fit. Society shuns her, no woman should be in charge, and besides that she treats her slaves like humans. Eliza ambitions eventually lead to Indigo becoming the major export of the South Carolina Colony.
This HF is about a real woman who took the reigns to save her planation by learning more about the planting and processing of Indigo. Eliza plans to save her plantation with the crop, but needs guidance from the slaves, some who are willing to help, some not so much. It is an interesting story, but I wish there had been more information about the later years of Eliza and the industry.
A wonderful coming of age story that told me about a woman I knew nothing about. Recommended for HF and History fans
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I could feel Eliza’s despair and hope. It was a beautiful, albeit slow going, story. I appreciated the author’s notes and research.
4.5 Stars
This book contained much of what I love in historical fiction - a strong central character who faces and overcomes adversity, an intriguing plot, a dash of romance, and enlightenment about a period of history that is not well known to me.
I thought this was very well done and I loved learning about the life of the inspirational Eliza Lucas. I am also a fan of Saskia Maarleveld who narrates the audiobook.
This book contained much of what I love in historical fiction - a strong central character who faces and overcomes adversity, an intriguing plot, a dash of romance, and enlightenment about a period of history that is not well known to me.
I thought this was very well done and I loved learning about the life of the inspirational Eliza Lucas. I am also a fan of Saskia Maarleveld who narrates the audiobook.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt it flowed nicely and thought the parts about growing the indigo were pretty interesting. I was always rooting for her to succeed.
“I am admitting defeat. South Carolina bested me. Her fertility and her promises sucked me in, and I drowned in her marshy swamps.”
“I am admitting defeat. South Carolina bested me. Her fertility and her promises sucked me in, and I drowned in her marshy swamps.”
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a good story on its own, and made better because of the historically factual elements woven into the narrative.