Mustard Seed

Firstly I must admit that 'Yellow Crocus' is one of my favourite books from a lifetime of being an avid reader. I smiled and cried with Mattie and Lisbeth, as they formed a loving and complicated relationship in a time of great cruelty and injustice in the American South. They had become like dear friends by time I finished reading that book. Perhaps, my expectations were too high when I began this sequel. It is a story covering a much larger landscape and highlighting far more characters. Sometimes the long list of landowners and slaves became confusing; especially as some shared the same name or had several different names. It is beautifully written, as only Laila Ibrahim can write; but I missed the intimacy of the previous novel. The historical setting, at a time when America was supposed to be a Union and all slaves freed, was drawn with stark realism. Laws can be promulgated, but the implementation of those laws rely on the adherence of the public officials and leaders. I did not realize that even after the abolition of slavery some landowners in the South still kept men and women in conditions of cruel slavery. I learned a great deal about the plight of the black and coloured population in the Southern States from this book. I was horrified by their treatment and sickened by a situation of children left hopelessly adrift with no means of uniting with their families. This story was fascinating and appealed to me intellectually; whereas Yellow Crocus moved me emotionally. I would definitely recommend reading the latter before reading this book. The relationship between Mattie and Lisbeth requires understanding to avoid reader confusion.

This is the second book in a trilogy by Lisa Ibrahim. I liked the first book in the series, Yellow Crocus, even more.

love this book and it was delivered in 2 days

Just finished the book Mustard Seed. Just like the yellow crocus I could not put it down. The author has such a way of writing - conjuring up the feeling, emotions, the atmosphere between Ohio and Virginia, where even the ending of slavery, the South platation owners could not and would not change their views and any exslave still living on in their homes on the plantations were still treated as slaves even though they where technically free. These slaves were uneducated, those who were born on the plantations and mid aged to elderly people who were either too scared to leave and worried about how they would survive outside of the plantations. In places this book was harrowing, in others frustrated because Jordon, Matti and Samual could not get any information regarding Sarah's two girls who where taken from their Mum Sarah and sold on in Carolina. Elizabeth and Mattie regain the closeness they once shared and they all become stronger for it. I would say this book is just as good as Yellow Crocus and I would recommend reading both this book and Yellow Crocus. I have just pre-ordered the next book Golden Poppies which comes out in May 2020. These books give a good insight into how those who were slaves where treated and those who owned these enslaved people viewed them. and I believe there where worse plantation owners as well.

This is a gripping story of life in the troubled South after the Civil War. It really portrays so many conflicts within families, slaves who are still on plantations fearful of their masters, yet not sure there is a free future elsewhere. Families have lost their homes, their livelihood as plantation owners as been reduced. Many families have experienced the loss of loved ones fighting in the war, and some families fought against one another depending whether choosing to fight for the North or for the South. Though "free", there are still problems with voting, with the law, and equality for all. Jordan, a former slave, is now a teacher and wants to become a suffragette, yet the plight of the South pulls her back. Though we are "familiar" with the Civil War, this personalizes the experience as a slave family returns South to search for loved ones separated by being sold to different plantations. Another family returns home, as Lisbeth's father is dying. She chose to leave plantation life, married to an abolitionist , now living in Ohio. Her children are being raised with an openness about the world needing kindness, education, freedom.