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rjermann's review against another edition
4.0
Insightful story of a child growing up with slavery. The relationship between Lisbeth and Mattie is both endearing and mildly infuriating. Endearing because of the bond that forms between two people of completely different classes, a bond that survives through time and across societal boundaries; infuriating because, well, slavery evokes that emotion in this day and age.
While we can't ever really claim to understand slavery in the 21st century, this book gives you a glimpse into the other world. This glimpse is unpolluted by Scarlett O'Hara's, Ashley Wilkes, and the grandeur that was the south. The author focuses on the relationships between master and slave, girl and wet nurse, and slave and freedom, but does not fail to capture the essence of plantation life for both the slave and the master. Good read :)
While we can't ever really claim to understand slavery in the 21st century, this book gives you a glimpse into the other world. This glimpse is unpolluted by Scarlett O'Hara's, Ashley Wilkes, and the grandeur that was the south. The author focuses on the relationships between master and slave, girl and wet nurse, and slave and freedom, but does not fail to capture the essence of plantation life for both the slave and the master. Good read :)
socialworkstef's review against another edition
5.0
This was a quick read that kept me engaged throughout. I finished it within 48 hours and that is unusual for me. Great plot and well developed characters. A thoughtful examination of slavery--particularly how families were torn apart. Very emotional read.
tshrope's review
3.0
While I enjoyed this book, I didn't feel like it offered anything new on the subject of slavery or the relationship between slave women and the children they raised. I thought the Kitchen House did a much better job of telling that story. I listened to this book on audio and I do love Bahni Turpin as a narrator, she is one of my favorites, so listening to her read me the book was the most enjoyable part of this book.
jamiebooks15's review against another edition
5.0
I really, really loved this book. It's a solid historical fiction book and I couldn't put it down!
_rebeccareads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved everything about this book except for the weirdly over-descriptive breastfeeding moments...
goldenbrowngirl's review against another edition
5.0
So heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I appreciated the way Ibrahim painted the bond between wet nurse and child. Giving both characters a voice for the reader to learn the perspective of each added to the richness. It was not predictable in the least.
anna_pardo's review against another edition
3.0
És curiós que un llibre sobre esclavisme sigui un "feel good book", però aquest ho és. Una història bonica que, pel meu gust, es mulla massa poc en condemnar una pràctica execrable, tot i que a la segona part del llibre l'abolicionisme cobra molta més importància. Massa religió de per mig, això sí. Però si ens quedem amb la història de la Mattie i la Lisbeth, una bonica història amb final feliç.
devmm's review against another edition
3.0
Though the pace of this book was a bit slower than I had initially anticipated, I powered through to the end. The story is woven beautifully through two lenses, and I found myself crying by last page.
Ultimately, I believe this is an important story to tell and Ibrahim tackled the subject matter head-on -- providing perspectives into the lives of enslaved people in the American South honestly, while not making the connection between the main characters seem too forced. It was believable. I enjoy the realistic end -- of fighting to create and preserve one's own family and freedom, while still understanding the constraints of race relations in the North during the later 19th century.
Ultimately, I believe this is an important story to tell and Ibrahim tackled the subject matter head-on -- providing perspectives into the lives of enslaved people in the American South honestly, while not making the connection between the main characters seem too forced. It was believable. I enjoy the realistic end -- of fighting to create and preserve one's own family and freedom, while still understanding the constraints of race relations in the North during the later 19th century.