Review : Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

Title : Yellow Crocus
Author : Laila Ibrahim
Publication date : December 17th 2010 by Flaming Chalice Press

This is the second novel I read that was set on early America. The first was very impressive and I am so ready to get another one. When I first read the excerpt of this book I was instantly hooked. It highlights slavery and a story of a child and her wet nurse (or should I say wet nurse slave?). Doesn't it sound interesting?

Mattie was 20 year old slave with a baby of her own. Her owner was a high profile and respected plantation owner. As soon as they had a new daughter, Elizabeth, she was to breastfeed her. Mattie was forced to leave her own behind and live with her owner to nurse and take care of her master's daughter. Mattie missed her son, Samuel so much and on the other hand, she also loved Elizabeth.

Well, even the first chapter of this book is depressing enough. Imagine having to leave your own child to take care some somebody else's. You have no choice but to do it. You are a slave and you don't have any say in how to live your life. Just thinking about it makes my heart sore. Don't get me wrong, though, I finished this book only within 24 hours, so now you know it's an extreme page turner.

Ibrahim's writing style is just like many other historical fiction authors. I personally have no problem with it and to her credit, this is her debut novel so I believe it's too early to tell or point her special "feature". It's fast paced and the characters are very well developed. I adore Mattie's emotional strength and her unlimited supply of love. Elizabeth was a naive girl. While she deeply loved Mattie, she thought the world was filled sunshine and rainbows. A funny belief, considering her family was involved in human trafficking.

Yellow Crocus also highlights extreme difference between Mattie's and Elizabeth's family. Mattie's family was poor, come from the lowest social class possible, but they love each other. Elizabeth's is the opposite. They were rich, they believed they're aristocrats but their life was bland and stiff as stick, they have no room in their hearts for love. They even think breastfeeding a baby is an unseemly thing! I surely hope that in this modern time, this kind of family doesn't exist anymore.

Now let's talk about the ending. It was a bit predictable and very fairytale-ish, but hey, it warmed my heart, so who cares! I even cried as I reached the last page. Now, below is a favorite quote of mine:

Then Samuel shouted , "Look," breaking our attention from one another.

"The first crocus of spring!" Mattie and I gazed in the direction he pointed.

"Why looky at that that. Yellow too, how lovely," Mattie responded. 

Samuel announced proudly, "Yellow crocuses are my momma's favorites. My momma and I will have picnic with black-eye peas today to celebrate."

"That right?" Mattie said with a shake of her head. "In my family we do just the same thing. Imagine that."

5 rating for Yellow Crocus.  I recommend this book for those of you who love stories set in early America or you who are looking for a nice and meaningful quick read. Have you read any books about slavery? How was it?