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A review by ashleysilver7
Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly
5.0
This is my favorite book so far by Martha Hall Kelly, which is third in her Lilac Girls trilogy. However, if you are reading this review it is important to note that you do not need to read her trilogies in chronological order. In fact, this novel takes place first chronologically (think "Star Wars," starting with episode 4, ha!). Anyway, this book follows the lives of three women who couldn't be more different. Georgiana (Georgy) Woolsey, who is a real historical figure and staunch abolitionist (and great-aunt to Caroline Ferriday, the protagonist in the first Lilac Girls trilogy); Jemma, a slave on Peeler plantation in Maryland (loosely based on several historical figures); and Anne-May, a very unlikeable plantation owner, who "owns" Jemma and is also a Confederate spy.
I must say, reading this book was very eye-opening about the Civil War and all the legal intricacies about slavery I didn't realize. For example, Maryland was a state that allowed slavery, however they did not secede from the Union. Therefore, in 1863 when Lincoln emancipated the slaves, this did not include the slaves in Maryland (seriously!). Even worse, the "free states" up North would willingly give up runaway slaves to their "masters" down South...runaway slaves were not truly "free" unless they made it up to Canada where their "owners" had no rights. This is mind-blowing and truly awful, and frankly not explained well in textbooks.
Finally, on a personal note, my family just returned from St. Louis, where we visited U. S. Grant's farm (which is a US National Park). While US Grant had barely a mention in this novel, he was such an important figure in the Civil War, and we owe him a great deal of gratitude for his part in saving the Union. Furthermore, he did a lot (or at least tried to do a lot) for the civil rights of African Americans as president. He is often overlooked as an ineffective president, but he is admirable and I want to read more about him.
I must say, reading this book was very eye-opening about the Civil War and all the legal intricacies about slavery I didn't realize. For example, Maryland was a state that allowed slavery, however they did not secede from the Union. Therefore, in 1863 when Lincoln emancipated the slaves, this did not include the slaves in Maryland (seriously!). Even worse, the "free states" up North would willingly give up runaway slaves to their "masters" down South...runaway slaves were not truly "free" unless they made it up to Canada where their "owners" had no rights. This is mind-blowing and truly awful, and frankly not explained well in textbooks.
Finally, on a personal note, my family just returned from St. Louis, where we visited U. S. Grant's farm (which is a US National Park). While US Grant had barely a mention in this novel, he was such an important figure in the Civil War, and we owe him a great deal of gratitude for his part in saving the Union. Furthermore, he did a lot (or at least tried to do a lot) for the civil rights of African Americans as president. He is often overlooked as an ineffective president, but he is admirable and I want to read more about him.