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Women of the Plantations
Sara, a beautiful and privileged Bostonian, faces unimaginable challenges as she falls in love and moves to the Lowcountry of South Carolina to marry a handsome plantation master. The Civil War is igniting, and the young wife is suddenly left to manage his rice plantation and "his" slaves. The War's growing turbulence brings danger close to home - - rapes, hangings, and harrowing escapes through the Underground Railroad. Sara's abolitionist mother pleads with her daughter to return to the safety of the North.
But Sara will remain on the plantation, as she, herself, becomes a mother. The plantation welcomes a daughter. As Lilly Grace grows, so does a friendship with a young slave, Little Bubba. He introduces her to the lively Gullah culture, rich with chants, trickster lore, and spiritualism. His mother, a medicine woman and conjurer, chillingly foretells the hardships to come. As the war approaches, Lilly Grace and Little Bubba form a bond of blended insights well beyond their years. How they come to use this knowledge will affect many lives.
This is a frenzied era as time honored traditions crumble. The women of the plantation push on and on to save their homes from perils in many forms. Their brave decisions and courageous actions change the course of history.
It's time their voices are heard.
But Sara will remain on the plantation, as she, herself, becomes a mother. The plantation welcomes a daughter. As Lilly Grace grows, so does a friendship with a young slave, Little Bubba. He introduces her to the lively Gullah culture, rich with chants, trickster lore, and spiritualism. His mother, a medicine woman and conjurer, chillingly foretells the hardships to come. As the war approaches, Lilly Grace and Little Bubba form a bond of blended insights well beyond their years. How they come to use this knowledge will affect many lives.
This is a frenzied era as time honored traditions crumble. The women of the plantation push on and on to save their homes from perils in many forms. Their brave decisions and courageous actions change the course of history.
It's time their voices are heard.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2014
168 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 2, 2020
An Apologist for Slavery
The overriding theme of this book is to promote the fallacy that some people who owned slaves and participated in the institution of slavery were nice people. The author seems to want the reader to believe that a captive enslaved population loved and doted on their brutal captors. The constant use of the term “Negroes” when referring to the enslaved people was unsuccessful. I meant to rate this story as one star but inadvertently hit two and could not change the rating.
The overriding theme of this book is to promote the fallacy that some people who owned slaves and participated in the institution of slavery were nice people. The author seems to want the reader to believe that a captive enslaved population loved and doted on their brutal captors. The constant use of the term “Negroes” when referring to the enslaved people was unsuccessful. I meant to rate this story as one star but inadvertently hit two and could not change the rating.
January 3, 2022
Great idea for a story. Ever since I read Gone with the Wind and stayed up late huddled under my blankets watching Roots on a portable tv in 5th grade I have romanticized the antebellum South but always wanted the enslaved point of view to be better shown.
This book does not quite that. Well, it might, by page 64 I gave up, maybe it gets better. I rarely stop reading a book, however the portrayal of the main character and the plantation slaves read like a telenovela- I could almost see the teeth gnashing and silent pleas to the heavens.
Biggest turnoff for me- the spelling and grammar. It seems to be a growing trend- maybe writers or editing staff are using speech recognition software, then no one bothers with a read through to check for errors or bothers to run a spell check. Microsoft Word has a pretty robust tool that picks up most errors, just saying.
This book does not quite that. Well, it might, by page 64 I gave up, maybe it gets better. I rarely stop reading a book, however the portrayal of the main character and the plantation slaves read like a telenovela- I could almost see the teeth gnashing and silent pleas to the heavens.
Biggest turnoff for me- the spelling and grammar. It seems to be a growing trend- maybe writers or editing staff are using speech recognition software, then no one bothers with a read through to check for errors or bothers to run a spell check. Microsoft Word has a pretty robust tool that picks up most errors, just saying.
July 18, 2020
A new day
Things weren't looking to good during the war for Grace and her mom, but they kept giving their all ,treating their slaves like humans and not animals. Involving them in the running of the plantation.Good read. Wanted to read a part two maybe 5/10 years later to see how everyone came thru reconstruction.
Things weren't looking to good during the war for Grace and her mom, but they kept giving their all ,treating their slaves like humans and not animals. Involving them in the running of the plantation.Good read. Wanted to read a part two maybe 5/10 years later to see how everyone came thru reconstruction.
March 25, 2020
Women of the plantation
Interesting book. Life's change through catastrophe. Enjoyed this tale betFter than some I've read. Suggesting other folks to enjoy.
Better than I've read on the history of the South.
Interesting book. Life's change through catastrophe. Enjoyed this tale betFter than some I've read. Suggesting other folks to enjoy.
Better than I've read on the history of the South.
October 24, 2020
Pre, During, and Post Civil War
This was excellent read about one plantations strong and brave black and white woman. Please take time to read this great book written by Kay Nelson.
This was excellent read about one plantations strong and brave black and white woman. Please take time to read this great book written by Kay Nelson.
April 8, 2021
Taking a glimpse into the past proved informative and engrossing. To read about slavery and all its intricacies was a
n eye opening and welcoming revelation. To understand how heart and home play an important part in our view and understanding of life.
n eye opening and welcoming revelation. To understand how heart and home play an important part in our view and understanding of life.
November 28, 2019
Good
This book is one that tells of how strong the women of the South has to be during the civil war.
This book is one that tells of how strong the women of the South has to be during the civil war.
April 17, 2020
Women
Wonderful book. Keep my attention with everything that happened in platoons doing the war. Would recommend to anyone who like historical books.
Wonderful book. Keep my attention with everything that happened in platoons doing the war. Would recommend to anyone who like historical books.
June 3, 2020
Beautifully written
Lilly grace was a wonderful asset to the book and her nature was easily explained. I loved how it was written so to feel I actually knew her
Lilly grace was a wonderful asset to the book and her nature was easily explained. I loved how it was written so to feel I actually knew her
February 14, 2021
Great
Very closetotrue history.iwas watching pbs about the days in Georgetown when they raised rice and had slaves.enjoyed it very much
Very closetotrue history.iwas watching pbs about the days in Georgetown when they raised rice and had slaves.enjoyed it very much
March 1, 2021
Captivating story
I could hardly put this book down. I felt that I knew the Wellington family and all who lived on The Street. Excellent story!
I could hardly put this book down. I felt that I knew the Wellington family and all who lived on The Street. Excellent story!
April 29, 2022
The reality of Slavery
I liked each of the characters. The author truly set them all aside from each other with their individual views on love, hate, slavery and war.
I liked each of the characters. The author truly set them all aside from each other with their individual views on love, hate, slavery and war.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews