Crocus flower bulbs, crocus bulbs american meadows. Yellow crocus by mistyviolet see profile 031712 this is a story about oppression in the pre civil war south. Buy yellow crocus by laila ibrahim from waterstones today. Laila ibrahim spent much of her career as a preschool director, and that, coupled with her experiences as a teacher and her education in developmental psychology and attachment theory, provided ample fodder for the story of mattie and lisbeth in yellow crocus. Laila ibrahims debut novel yellow crocus rocketed to the sky. Be sure you buy enough for a big splash next spring. Cdcs yellow book health information for international travel is published every two years as a resource for health professionals providing care. I am so glad i read this novel as the saying goes good goods come in small parcels. Everybody knows crocus flower bulbs signal spring, and lead the bloom parade. Yellow crocus by laila ibrahim a 15minute instaread summary inside this instaread summary.
I had just finished listening to isabelle allendes island beneath the sea and wasnt sure if i really wanted to dive into another book about slavery. The usual way that books describe cultivation is so general that the fact that there are groupings for the crocus species simply doesnt come up. Yellow crocus is a compelling novel of love, loss, and redemption set during one of the most sinister chapters of american history. Crocus, genus of about 75 lowgrowing cormose species of plants of the iris family. Jordan freedman was born a slave to mattie, lisbeths beloved nurse. Crocus flavus golden yellow dutch large flowering crocus. Just click the edit page button at the bottom of the page or learn more in. What were some of the key experiences that lisbeth had that changed her understanding of the world in which she lived. In a way, this flower is the ideal metaphor for yellow crocus, a novel about a young girl growing up with her enslaved nursemaid on a nineteenth. Yellow mammoth is the largest crocus of them all, with blooms sometimes as wide as 4 inches, and its a classic. Thus begins an intense relationship that will shape both of their lives for decades to come.
Yellow crocus is also a very person story for me and i felt vulnerable putting my views out into the world. I promise to only use the money to buy wine, male strippers and glitterpooping unicorns and maybe to donate to starving orphan puppies in africa or whatever the heck i want. Best of all, theyre inexpensive and small, so theyre a snap to plant. The 2014 novel yellow crocus by author laila ibrahim is set in the antebellum south and tells the story of a white girl growing up in a slaveowning family. The most recent book ive read is yellow crocus by laila ibrahim, and i have to say, i was captivated by this book.
It grows wild on the slopes of greece, former yugoslavia, bulgaria, romania and northwestern turkey, with fragrant bright orange yellow flowers which tennyson likened to a fire. What a great name for this novel, makes you appreciate the thought the author put into this book. Find books like yellow crocus from the worlds largest community of readers. It is the story of the longlasting relationship between a privileged white heiress elizabeth wainwright and a black woman named mattie. Moments after lisbeth is born, shes taken from her mother and handed over to an enslaved wet nurse, mattie, a young mother separated from her own infant son in order to care for her tiny charge. What, if any, parallels do you see between the culture and the central conflicts of the narrative in yellow crocus and in our current society. Yellow crocus is a flower that blooms in the most adverse conditions. Mar 30, 2010 i have another reference book, spiritual gardening, which says the crocus is a symbol of spiritual renewal, a longing and theme of glucks. If you know of any mention of the crocus in literature, please add to this post in the comments section. I read this some years ago so knew i was in for a great good book second time around.
Yellow mammoth never disappoints, and is a knockout against early springs deep green lawns. The courage shown by the key character is admirable. Upon elizabeths birth, mattie becomes her wetnurse and, over time, her mammy and confidante. Crocuses are native to the alps, southern europe, and the mediterranean area and are widely grown for their cuplike blooms in early spring or fall. Theyre famous for planting in the lawn or naturalizing anywhere you want their bright, early color.
Yellow crocus by laila ibrahim book cover, description, publication history. Its been cultivated in gardens since the seventeenth century. Yellow crocus by laila ibrahim was the december book for that group. Bookclub read and the one will certainly make for a good discussion. Yellow crocus, set in the antebellum era, tells the story of hattie, an enslaved wetnurse, living at fair oakes, a virginia plantation, and the white baby she cares for, lisbeth. Yellow crocus is a relatively slow moving book that draws you in with its powerful simplicity, detailing the striking differences between a life of slavery and the life of the rich white masters.
Yellow crocus is a compelling novel of love, loss, and redemption set. Written by laila ibrahim, narrated by bahni turpin. From then on, mattie serves as lisbeths standin mother, nursing her, singing her to sleep, and soothing her in the night. Laila ibrahims writing is so beautiful and touching. With two small toddlers at home, it is rare for me to finish a book in 6 months, let alone in the few days it took me to read yellow crocus. Im so pleased to have read this book as it is so far from the genre i usually choose. Yellow crocus, set in the antebellum era, tells the story of hattie, an enslaved wet nurse, living at fair oakes, a virginia plantation, and the white baby she cares. Mattie and lisbeth are the two main characters whose lives are intertwined at lisbeths very birth on a southern plantation. As lisbeth grows, she views mattie as a substitute mother, picking up the traditions.
A new book written for the reader interested in growing saffron would immediately topple this book. Laila ibrahims education and experiences in multiracial, developmental psychology provided ample fodder for her first novel, yellow crocus. It looks like we dont have any release dates for this title yet. The novel was published in 2010, and still is one of the most wanted books. Crocuses by ruth fainlight by stacy galletta on prezi. This is a summary of the book and not the original book. Yellow crocus is a heartbreaking tale of the relationships between mothers and their children during a darker period in history. This flower is a symbol of happiness, hope, survival and strength. Unlike most flowers, crocuses bloom in the most adverse conditions. Drawing on her background in developmental psychology, and in particular in the attachment theory of how babies bond with caregivers, ibrahim imagines what it might be like for a child to suddenly be exposed to the idea that her most beloved caretaker does not actually count as a full person in the eyes of other adults. This is the most comprehensive book on saffron crocus that ive seen, but it leaves much to be desired. Though lisbeth leads a life of privilege, she finds nothing but loneliness in the company of her. Aug 19, 2014 buy the paperback book yellow crocus by laila ibrahim at indigo. Lisbeth johnson was born into privilege in the antebellum south.
Yellow crocus by laila ibrahim a 15minute instaread summary. Pale, bare, tender stems rising from the muddy winterfaded grass, shivering petals the almost luminous blue and mauve of bruises on the naked bodies of men, women, children herded into a forest clearing or before the shouted order, crack of gunfire, final screams and prayers and. Jan 04, 2018 yellow crocus by laila ibrahim was the december book for that group. The details of the deep and powerful relationship between a white girl and the black woman who nursed, raised her and saved her life enabled me a white lady to stomach more of the realities of slavery. While other flowers need aerated beds and warm weather, crocuses grow best in gritty soil and blossom in early spring, even when snow is still on the ground. One of my book club friends handed me her finished copy and said it was an easy read, so i gave it a try. Dec 17, 2010 yellow crocus held me transfixed, rapidly turning the pages to see what would taken next. Moments after lisbeth is born, shes taken from her mother and han. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Though lisbeth leads a life of privilege, she finds nothing but loneliness in the. The spice saffron is obtained from the stigmas of crocus sativus, an autumnblooming species. It speaks to the relationships between people and the value attached to each character relationship with others. For businessexclusive pricing, quantity discounts and downloadable vat invoices. This true story of mattie and lisbeth is written in such a refreshingly authentic.
Seconds later, she is delivered into the arms of her black wet nurse, mattie. The author brings us to the yellow crocus early on in the story and then it finds its way to come around in the end. Buy the paperback book yellow crocus by laila ibrahim at indigo. Split between the perspectives of lisbeth, the daughter of the household, and mattie, her black wet nurse. Yellow crocus held me transfixed, rapidly turning the pages to see what would taken next. Mustard seed by laila ibrahim meet your next favorite book. Dec 17, 2010 yellow crocus a novel by laila ibrahim. Many are cultivated for their flowers appearing in autumn, winter, or spring.
This study guide consists of approximately 40 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of yellow crocus. This is definitely one of those books that reels you in from the first page and keeps you invested right until the end. Yellow crocus by laila ibrahim deanna lynn sletten. In a way, this flower is the ideal metaphor for yellow crocus, a novel about a young girl growing up. Because this was set around wealthy plantation owners, i also enjoyed the story of their culture and lives. Though lisbeth leads a life of privilege, she finds nothing but loneliness in the company. If you love historical fiction, especially the precivil war era, this is the book for you.
She stayed on her pallet, reluctant to end this precious time, and listened to the sound of quiet snores coming from her grandfather. All in all a well written heart warming story that left me emotionally spent, feeling great compassion for both mattie and lisbeth, because although they came from the extreme opposite side of the tracks they both had their own struggles to survive. Split between the perspectives of lisbeth, the daughter of. The yellow crocus blooms in the most adverse conditions. I have another reference book, spiritual gardening, which says the crocus is a symbol of spiritual renewal, a longing and theme of glucks. Matties own son, samuel, is kept in the slave quarters. Since i wasnt in charge anymore, i didnt grab the book until the meeting was over and everyone was done with it so we didnt have one of our usual toomanypeoplenotenoughcopies fiascos. Synopsis in 1837, lisbeth wainwright is born to the white mistress of a sprawling virginia plantation. Excerpt chapter 1 april 14, 1837 mattie lay curled around the warm shape of her son when the unwanted messenger knocked. For a field hand like mattie, her transfer to the big house is supposed to be considered an honorexcept that the move tears mattie away.
Planting in the lawn is simple, since the bulbs are. Yellow crocus laila ibrahim click here to open new page link to amazon. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. It grows wild on the slopes of greece, former yugoslavia, bulgaria, romania and northwestern turkey, with fragrant bright orangeyellow flowers which tennyson likened to a fire. Snow crocuses are tough and can flower through late winter snow. I moved quickly through the pages and even getting a late start was not worried about finishing in time. Overview of the entire book introduction to the important people in the book summary and analysis of all the chapters in the book key takeaways of the book a readers. Springflowering plants have a long floral tube that allows the ovary to remain belowground, sheltered from climatic changes. Jan 24, 20 yellow crocus offers moving proof of how the greatest social change often blooms forth from small personal acts of love. Download and keep this book for free with a 30 day trial. Hardcover with dustjacket, a beautiful copy of the first american printing, both the book and dustjacket are in excellent condition making this a fine giftcollectors copy, there are no remarkable flaws and a professional removable mylar cover is included.
This book is in good condition but will show signs of. Apr 16, 2020 crocus, genus of about 75 lowgrowing cormose species of plants of the iris family iridaceae. Make up your own mix, or plant a huge drift of yellow. Bring them into the housethey will bloom about four weeks later. Books similar to yellow crocus meet your next favorite book. Hardcover with dustjacket, a beautiful copy of the first american printing, both the book and dustjacket are in excellent condition making this a fine giftcollectors copy, there are no remarkable flaws and a professional removable mylar cover is included, 224. Lisbeth reaction to edwards raping the field hand was naive. Dec 17, 2010 yellow crocus is a relatively slow moving book that draws you in with its powerful simplicity, detailing the striking differences between a life of slavery and the life of the rich white masters. Crocus are also good for forcing indoors over the winter. Goodreads members who liked yellow crocus also liked. The bestselling author of yellow crocus returns with a haunting and tender story of three women returning to the plantation they once called home. Overview of the entire book introduction to the important people in the book summary and analysis of all the chapters in the book key takeaways of the book.
Yellow crocus, written by laila ibrahim, is set in the mid1800s american south. Yellow crocus by laila ibrahim reading guidebook club. Crocuses are native to woodland, scrub, and meadows. It grows best in gritty soil and blossoms in early spring. Because the book is so thorough in covering the many species of crocus it revealed the native areas of crocus origination and the conditions in which they grow. Aug 19, 2014 moments after lisbeth is born, shes taken from her mother and handed over to an enslaved wet nurse, mattie, a young mother separated from her own infant son in order to care for her tiny charge. Yellow crocus by laila ibrahim paperback urban books. Crocus flavus, known as yellow crocus or dutch yellow crocus, is a species of flowering plant in the genus crocus of the family iridaceae. Yellow crocus bulbs shipped from the largest bulb grower in the united states to your home or garden 18664885477. Moments after her birth to the mistress of a sprawling virginia plantation, lisbeth wainwright is entrusted to mattie, an enslaved wet nurse. Dispatched, from the uk, within 48 hours of ordering.
May 25, 2012 the most recent book ive read is yellow crocus by laila ibrahim, and i have to say, i was captivated by this book. What a beautiful way to bring this novel fullcircle. This is a short novel and as i have been having a yellow crocus a novel by laila ibrahim. I felt very foolish undertaking such a daunting task when i didnt even know if i could get it out into the world.