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samarie04's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet story
Sweet story
This was a sweet, tender story. It tells a story of slavery that is unlike any I have ever read. I never thought of slavery in this light, so it was intriguing. My only complaint was how it jumped from Lisbeth being around four or so, then 12, and then all grown up. Didn't seem to set up the bond between the two that the story revolves around.
Sweet story
This was a sweet, tender story. It tells a story of slavery that is unlike any I have ever read. I never thought of slavery in this light, so it was intriguing. My only complaint was how it jumped from Lisbeth being around four or so, then 12, and then all grown up. Didn't seem to set up the bond between the two that the story revolves around.
cat_book_lady's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - an excellent up-and-coming writer! To be a black slave woman, torn apart from her own baby in order to be a wet nurse for the plantation's owner, had to be completely heartbreaking, but Mattie cares for this white child Lisabeth that she grows to love. It is hard to believe that nursing your own baby was considered obscene and disgusting for the likes of polite society, but there it is. Ibrahim also does a great job in showing how the owners thought they were doing the slaves an actual favor by protecting and caring for their needs.
I am proud of the white girl Lisabeth who grows into a fine young woman, looking for a good man rather than a good husband and eventually becomes an abolitionist in Ohio after her previous fiance was caught having forced "relations" with a slave girl. This opens her eyes from the naive little girl to seeing the complete injustice surrounding her. While I think this event was indeed horrifying, I'm not sure if it would stem her uprooting her life completely in a day, but since this is based on a true story, I would say that she must have been extremely shook up. She courageously chooses to shed her comfortable, well-to-do life with her family for the uncertainty of a new state, new political system, new husband whom she barely knows, and new perspective on the world.
The novel is intensely satisfying, and another tale of the injustices slaves suffered from a wholly different perspective. If not for a couple of scenes, I would say this would make for an excellent book for junior high and high schoolers to read (though one scene is probably necessary for the plot). But as an adult, I recommend it highly.
I am proud of the white girl Lisabeth who grows into a fine young woman, looking for a good man rather than a good husband and eventually becomes an abolitionist in Ohio after her previous fiance was caught having forced "relations" with a slave girl. This opens her eyes from the naive little girl to seeing the complete injustice surrounding her. While I think this event was indeed horrifying, I'm not sure if it would stem her uprooting her life completely in a day, but since this is based on a true story, I would say that she must have been extremely shook up. She courageously chooses to shed her comfortable, well-to-do life with her family for the uncertainty of a new state, new political system, new husband whom she barely knows, and new perspective on the world.
The novel is intensely satisfying, and another tale of the injustices slaves suffered from a wholly different perspective. If not for a couple of scenes, I would say this would make for an excellent book for junior high and high schoolers to read (though one scene is probably necessary for the plot). But as an adult, I recommend it highly.
jckrbbt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.25
karma_narwhal's review against another edition
5.0
Oh man where to start...
I I couldn't t this book down and I sobbed through most of it. Heart wrenching and equally touching. A must read
I I couldn't t this book down and I sobbed through most of it. Heart wrenching and equally touching. A must read
wamz's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. I do wish the author had told us more about Matties life after arriving in Ohio and how she coped.
ksprokes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
annemarie246's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable story
Endearing characters, so glad she was able to escape and have the life she wanted, looking forward to book two.
Endearing characters, so glad she was able to escape and have the life she wanted, looking forward to book two.
booksconnectus's review against another edition
4.0
Such a simply told story-almost too simple and neatly wrapped...almost YP feeling. Yet I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from the very beginning and was holding my breath as I neared its conclusion. I will read the next in the series. These folks feel like family and I must know how the rest of their lives turn out. Told from the point of view of a plantation owner's daughter and also her wet nurse, who mothered her more than her own mother. It progresses from 1837-1858.
ms_emily's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0