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eiliux's review against another edition
4.0
Lo leí por recomendación de Betti y lo disfruté mucho. Es de esos libros que te hacen enfrentarte con una realidad incómoda pero importante, creo que a veces se nos olvidan estos episodios de la historia que hoy vemos tan lejanos... pero que al mismo tiempo seguimos replicando.
dmyanc61's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
neesh_reads's review
5.0
Wow
I honestly didn't think I would make it through this book. Not only was it a slavery book, but it's a book where the slave was a wet nurse. But I was wrong, immensely wrong. The way Laila Ibrahim wove Lisbeth's and Mattie's lives together is a better love story than Romeo and Juliet.
Mattie had no idea what she was getting herself into when she was selected to be the wet nurse for the mistress's first child. She went from a field hand to a house slave seemingly over night. The night her young charge was born, Mattie was torn away from her own 3 month old son to care for this new baby.
A bond formed over the years between the two, were Lisbeth wanted Mattie when scared over her own mother. It took everything for her mother to allow it, but soon, Mattie's son was sold to a different plantation where he and his father ran away. This took Mattie from Lisbeth but not for long and not by far. Lisbeth was old enough to not need Mattie, but she was still prefered to her mother.
I won't spoil too much, but there is an amazingly happy ending to this story!
I honestly didn't think I would make it through this book. Not only was it a slavery book, but it's a book where the slave was a wet nurse. But I was wrong, immensely wrong. The way Laila Ibrahim wove Lisbeth's and Mattie's lives together is a better love story than Romeo and Juliet.
Mattie had no idea what she was getting herself into when she was selected to be the wet nurse for the mistress's first child. She went from a field hand to a house slave seemingly over night. The night her young charge was born, Mattie was torn away from her own 3 month old son to care for this new baby.
A bond formed over the years between the two, were Lisbeth wanted Mattie when scared over her own mother. It took everything for her mother to allow it, but soon, Mattie's son was sold to a different plantation where he and his father ran away. This took Mattie from Lisbeth but not for long and not by far. Lisbeth was old enough to not need Mattie, but she was still prefered to her mother.
I won't spoil too much, but there is an amazingly happy ending to this story!
terrimarshall's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. While the subject matter is not light, it was an easy story to read and went quickly. It was a nice follow up to my last book, which was a long meaty piece of fiction.
melsny90's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of those books that sucked me in from the very beginning. I got wrapped up in the story, rooted for some characters, loathed others, and felt a gamut of emotions. I will be reading the other 2 books in this series VERY soon.
secretskeeper's review against another edition
5.0
I started reading this book skeptical because of all the mixed reviews. Some loved, some hated, some were indifferent. I cover had me hooked, so I purchased to see what was up.
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
The relationships between the characters was just what I was looking for. The history surrounding the story and the big issues of the past were meshed perfectly together. It wasn't too much, it wasn't too little.
Mattie and Lisbeth's relationship from the very beginning was something that little girls dream of. I understand that maybe it wasn't perfect for Mattie. But it the big scheme of things, she was taken care of, and she was taken care of someone else to keep her mind off of the fact that she herself couldn't be with her family. As Lisbeth grows and matures, she makes sure that Mattie is treated kindly and taken care of as well.
The novel brings about issues that are not for the lighthearted. rest assured however, that the author does so in a way which doesn't make one want to immediately put the book down. There are punishments and repercussions dealing with such issues.
In the end, when the two beloved characters meet up after so much time, so many years, and more than enough tears, heartache, and struggles later, they met with the same amount of trust and care for each other that they always had.
Great book. Would recommend to anyone.
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
The relationships between the characters was just what I was looking for. The history surrounding the story and the big issues of the past were meshed perfectly together. It wasn't too much, it wasn't too little.
Mattie and Lisbeth's relationship from the very beginning was something that little girls dream of. I understand that maybe it wasn't perfect for Mattie. But it the big scheme of things, she was taken care of, and she was taken care of someone else to keep her mind off of the fact that she herself couldn't be with her family. As Lisbeth grows and matures, she makes sure that Mattie is treated kindly and taken care of as well.
The novel brings about issues that are not for the lighthearted. rest assured however, that the author does so in a way which doesn't make one want to immediately put the book down. There are punishments and repercussions dealing with such issues.
In the end, when the two beloved characters meet up after so much time, so many years, and more than enough tears, heartache, and struggles later, they met with the same amount of trust and care for each other that they always had.
Great book. Would recommend to anyone.
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.