Book of the Week: Yellow Crocus

Title: Yellow Crocus
Author: Laila Ibrahim
Year Published: 2012
Short Synopsis:  Yellow Crocus is set in Virginia in the 1830's - 1850's. It follows the story of Elizabeth, the daughter of a plantation owner, and Mattie, the slave who is her childhood nurse.  Their relationship begins at Elizabeth's birth, when Mattie is forced to leave her own young baby to become her wet-nurse.  As Elizabeth grows up, she is able to develop real relationships not only with Mattie, but with other members of Mattie's family.  She does, however, remain very naive about slavery and what really goes on at the plantations, including the one she lives on.  On the verge of marriage to a wealthy plantation heir, she finally has a wake-up call. Because of the love she and Mattie shared with each other, she is able to do the right thing and transform her life. (I know that's vague, but I'm trying not to give spoilers).

Some things I liked:  The beginning of this book is amazing.  The scenes where Mattie leaves her son and begins nursing another woman's child are very real and very heartbreaking. Mattie's character is wonderful too.  She is kind and loving, full of hope, and all without being unrealistic.  I thought that the more gritty, uncomfortable scenes (which are important to the story because this is slavery we're talking about -  It's going to be gritty and uncomfortable) were done tastefully.  

Things I can't decide whether I liked or not:  At the very first, during some of the breastfeeding scenes, I thought "this author is a big advocate of breastfeeding."  Nothing wrong with that - I am an advocate as well. Later on in the book, there is a very intense section where a character is giving birth.  Again, I thought "this author is a big advocate of natural childbirth."  Also, there's nothing wrong with that.  Sure enough, when I read the the "about the author" bit, I learned that Ms. Ibrahim is in fact, a doula who "is privileged to witness the intensity and joy of childbirth." The scenes were very realistic and well-written.  But it really struck me as a little odd that I could tell from reading these mid-1800's scenes what this 2012 author's opinions about breastfeeding and natural childbirth are.  Especially since there was no other option in the time setting of this book.

Some things I didn't like:  I know probably most people would not have any issue with this, but there was a honeymoon scene that I found uncomfortable enough to skip entirely.  My skipping it did not detract from the story at all - well, I didn't feel like I missed out on anything, anyway.  
The first half of the book was much better written than the second half.  I'm not sure why.  
Also, the way the white characters spoke felt unnatural to me.  


My Rating:  2 out of 3 stars.  (1= good, 2 = better, 3 = best).  Good book, great story, but not on my list of must-reads.  If you enjoyed the relationship between Aibileen and Mae Mobely in Katheryn Stockett's The Help, then you'll probably enjoy this book.
To read an excerpt, visit the author's blog here.