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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
First off, Essie needs to stop clucking over EVERYTHING. Literally it was like once a page she “clucked” over something. Second, the book was good but it literally ended in about 5 pages. It was like details details details, wife dies, indigo grows, two weeks later she confesses her love for him. End scene. Would it have killed the author to add 50 more pages to wrap things up neatly? You spend 350 pages drawing out this indigo planting and potential love affair, and then you wrap it up in like 3 paragraphs?
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Audible books
adventurous
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Interesting historical fiction. Enjoyed learning about the Indigo trade.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
16-year-old Eliza is left in charge of her family's South Carolina plantation when her father leaves to oversee his other financial interests in Antigua. Capable, business-minded and eager to learn, Eliza throws herself into increasing productivity and improving living conditions for their enslaved workforce, and then raises eyebrows seeking to diversify their cash crops by planting indigo — a plant never successfully grown before in South Carolina.
One thing I appreciated about this story is that the setting is about 100 years earlier than most antebellum novels, which was different and refreshing. Discovering halfway through that this is based on a true historical figure improved the book for me, though I do think the author struggled a bit in making the period feel authentic to the reader. A number of words, including 'scaremonger' and 'hanky,' were not in use prior to the late 1880s, and Eliza herself as a 18th-century protagonist with 21st-century mores and sensibilities just doesn't quite ring true. I felt some discomfort with the portrayal of seeming contentment, even joy/kumbaya vibes, among the enslaved population. Reservations aside, I enjoyed the writing, as well as learning something new about a historical figure and a time period I was unfamiliar with previously.
One thing I appreciated about this story is that the setting is about 100 years earlier than most antebellum novels, which was different and refreshing. Discovering halfway through that this is based on a true historical figure improved the book for me, though I do think the author struggled a bit in making the period feel authentic to the reader. A number of words, including 'scaremonger' and 'hanky,' were not in use prior to the late 1880s, and Eliza herself as a 18th-century protagonist with 21st-century mores and sensibilities just doesn't quite ring true. I felt some discomfort with the portrayal of seeming contentment, even joy/kumbaya vibes, among the enslaved population. Reservations aside, I enjoyed the writing, as well as learning something new about a historical figure and a time period I was unfamiliar with previously.
I really love when books introduce me to remarkable people and events I never knew about before. Now, teacher Carmen knew all about this woman when I mentioned the book, but she was new to me!
An interesting look at a woman with ambition in colonial America. At one point I admit that I was getting annoyed, because despite the challenges inherent in farming, the author kept throwing additional roadblocks in our heroine's quest for indigo production. Like a bazillion of them. However, when I read the author's note at the end and realized she actually had reasons for much of her story based on the original letters, I was mollified.
I appreciated the inclusion of some of the original letters throughout the book. A really interesting read!
An interesting look at a woman with ambition in colonial America. At one point I admit that I was getting annoyed, because despite the challenges inherent in farming, the author kept throwing additional roadblocks in our heroine's quest for indigo production. Like a bazillion of them. However, when I read the author's note at the end and realized she actually had reasons for much of her story based on the original letters, I was mollified.
I appreciated the inclusion of some of the original letters throughout the book. A really interesting read!
This is the best book I have read this year! Beautiful historical fiction novel set in South Carolina! Strong female character and beautiful writing!
challenging
inspiring
slow-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