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Yellow Crocus
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Yellow Crocus (2010) (edit title/settings)

by Laila Ibrahim (Author) (edit contributors)

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Moments after her birth to the mistress of a sprawling Virginia plantation, Lisbeth Wainwright is entrusted to Mattie, an enslaved wet nurse. From then on, Mattie serves as Lisbeth's stand-in mother, nursing her, singing her to sleep, and soothing her in the night. And yet mothering Lisbeth... read more

Summary edit see section history

Publication Date: January 14, 2011 In 1837, Lisbeth Wainwright is born to the white mistress of a sprawling Virginia plantation. Seconds later, she is delivered into the arms of her black wet nurse, Mattie. For a field hand like Mattie, her transfer to the big house is supposed to be... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Publication Date: January 14, 2011 In 1837, Lisbeth Wainwright is born to the white mistress of a sprawling Virginia plantation. Seconds later, she is delivered into the arms of her black wet nurse, Mattie. For a field hand like Mattie, her transfer to the big house is supposed to be considered an honor—except that the move tears Mattie away from her beloved grandfather and her infant son, Samuel. But Mattie is a slave, with no say in the matter, and so she devotes herself to her master’s daughter, though she longs to be raising her own child. Growing up under Mattie’s tender care, little Lisbeth adopts the woman’s deep-seated faith in God, her love of music and black-eyed peas, and the tradition of hunting for yellow crocuses in the early days of spring.

As the years pass, Lisbeth is drawn slowly back into her white parents’ world and begins to learn the ins and outs of life for a high-born young lady. Still she retains her connection to Mattie, befriending Samuel and drifting comfortably between the two worlds. She accepts her parents’ assertion that their slaves depend upon them for guidance and protection, yet that notion becomes more and more difficult to believe as she gains awareness of the inequality of life in the big house versus the slave quarters. When, on the threshold of her society wedding to debonair Edward Cunningham, Lisbeth bears witness to a shockingly brutal act, the final vestiges of her naiveté crumble around her. Just twenty-one years old, she is forced to choose between what is socially acceptable and what is right, a decision that will change her life forever.

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Mattie: Lisbeth's slave wetnurse/caretaker.
  • Elizabeth (Lisbeth): The main character and daughter of a Virginian plantation owner. Southern Belle in high social circles. Comes of age during the novel.
  • Jack: Lisbeth's younger brother
  • Matthew Johnson: 3rd son of neighbors in Virginia
  • Poppy: Mattie's grandfather. He helps look after Mattie's son while she is taking care of Lisbeth.
  • Rebecca: A fellow slave that helps take care of Mattie's son while Mattie takes care of Lisbeth.
  • Samuel: Mattie's son. He is 3 months older than Lisbeth.
  • Emmanuel: Mattie's husband. He is a slave on another plantation and dreams of running away with his family to a free state.
  • Matthew Johnson: A kind admirer of Elizabeth Wainwright who fits within her social circle but is considered to be of a lower status than the Wainwright family.
  • Jordan: Mattie's daughter by Emmanuel.
  • Mary: Elizabeth's best friend and confidante
  • Edward Cunningham: Elizabeth's betrothed, arrogant
  • Emily: Slave assigned as Elizabeth's second personal servant.
  • Emma Cunningham: Edward's sister, and good friend to Elizabeth
Show all 14 characters
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First Sentence edit see section history

Mattie was never truly mine.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Laila Ibrahim (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Flaming Chalice Press
Country: United States
Publication Date: December 17, 2010
ISBN: 0984502203
Page Count: 238

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