A rare find, a 5 star book!

I don't rate all good books with 5 stars, but I have absolutely nothing to nitpick about this audiobook. I enjoyed everything about it, and I am sure it will remain in my memory for a long time to come.

I am often wary of reading a "slave" book, just like I am of a "holocaust" book. It takes some emotional bracing and mental preparation beforehand, but I will not avoid these two heartrending and important subjects.

This book was beautifully written. The characters were well-developed and all very believable. Whether I loved them or hated them, I could surely understand their motivations and behaviors based on the times and the setting they resided in. The slavery period can make for very sad and uncomfortable reading, but author Ibrahim handled this with finesse, neither appealing to or manipulating our emotions and our guilt, nor glossing over it to make it more palatable. I feel the story was well-balanced and the facts of the period were presented in a non-preachy and non-exaggerated manner.

The story was engrossing to me. I really cared what happened to the two main characters, Mattie and Lisbeth. I held my breath at times when they exhibited behaviors that would likely put them in real danger, and I sighed with relief when it seemed that they would be all right. The ending was very intense and emotional--I listened with rapt attention, even though I believed I knew what was going to happen. This book is an example of what I refer to as "an author taking care of their readers."

The narration, in case you are wondering, was just perfect. I hope to find more audiobooks narrated by Turpin in the future.

206 people found this helpful

Beautiful southern historical fiction

I read this book in print back in 2012 and if I remember right I read it in Bahni’s voice so was very happy to listen to the real thing. Bahni Turpin’s narration was amazing; she is such a great narrator. Every character has their own voice and her male voices are great too. She makes this story come to life and embodies every character and makes them real.


This is a beautifully written book about a young white girl Lisbeth or Miss Elizabeth as her parents want her known as who grows up on Fair Oaks Plantation in the 1800’s. When Lisbeth is born she is handed from her mother to slave/wet-nurse Mattie who has been taken from the Quarters and her newborn son to the Big House and Elizabeth’s mother thinks she should be so grateful to be living in the lap of luxury. As time goes on Lisbeth learns to love and depend on Mattie much more than her own mother but Lisbeth is young and naïve and doesn’t realize there is much more to life on the plantation than she is seeing.

This is a coming of age story as we watch Lisbeth from the time she is born till she is a grown woman, we watch as innocence is replaced with knowledge and knowledge is not always a happy thing. This realization is a slow building and at times Lisbeth doesn’t want to see but when the time comes she has to make a choice- “ Decisions to make, she thought to herself. She was too tired to make any more decisions.”

I loved the character of Mattie she has this outlook on life that is inspiring especially considering the life she lives as a slave. And even though she had to leave her own child to take care of Lisbeth she loved the girl.

These characters were so real to me I could hear their voices in my head; I could see what they saw. This author gave voice to these people in such a beautiful way I can’t even come close to finding the correct words to explain it. This is a debut novel and I am amazed by that and hope this author writes many. Many more books because I plan on reading them all!

Beautiful southern historical fiction I highly recommend!

5 Stars

137 people found this helpful

SPOILER ALERT!

First of all, there is one thing about I liked this book - the narrator. Now for the issues I had with the story line. I thought the book was about both Lizbeth and Mattie. It was really all about Lizbeth with Mattie as a subplot. However, the biggest issue I had was with Lizbeth's character. After she realizes she was "anti- slavery," she decides to leave Virginia. Great! However, it never dawns on her to take a slave who could be related to her to Ohio to freedom. I literally rewound that part 2-3 times when she asks her mother if she can take the rocker with her - but she never asks for Emily (slave that could be related to her). Even her mother prompts the thought and says she cannot take Emily. Yet Lizbeth still doesn't get the hint and just asks for her rocker and clothes. This made me think that Lizbeth isn't really against slavery - especially if she is willing to leave behind a relative in slavery. I then reflected on other parts of the book that made me think the same. I will not bother detailing those parts, sure you can figure them out on your own. In short, I realized this book was not about slavery or even a love story. Its simply a story about a spoiled brat.

13 people found this helpful

Great Book.

Admittedly, as a Black woman, books dealing with the peculiar institution are hard for me to read, as I am often filled with anger and sadness for what Black people went through during those times. However, the Yellow Crocus had a positive ending, so that made it better. This was a great book that has a great narrator and I highly recommend it.

10 people found this helpful

Amazing!

just do it, read this book. it is an amazing and unforgettable journey. I do recommend!

19 people found this helpful

Completely Enjoyable

This story is touching and enjoyable, and challenges one's assumptions about relationships, care-taking, roles in society and the pre-Civil War south. This certainly isn't a ground-breaking book, but it is a sweet and thoughtful story.

41 people found this helpful

Best Book Ever!

What made the experience of listening to Yellow Crocus the most enjoyable?

How the story was told, almost as if you were there.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mattie of course!

What about Bahni Turpin’s performance did you like?

She just knows how to tell the story. I have listened to some of her other books also. Her voice is calm.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

That is for sure!! I hated leaving this book to do other chores:-( I didn't want the story to end!!!!

Any additional comments?

THIS JUST TOOK THE PLACE OF THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER LISTENED TO!!!

36 people found this helpful

Wonderful!

I loved this book. It was made all the more special by the fabulous narrator. At times I cried for the pain of the former lifestyle of slavery. But the love between two beautiful souls transcended and my tears of joy in the last two chapters will make this book one of my favorites forever.

11 people found this helpful

A Powerful Story Well Told

I loved this book! It is a compelling tale about the evils of slavery and the resilience of the human spirit. I recommend it highly.

33 people found this helpful

Brava, Bahni Turpin!

Would you try another book from Laila Ibrahim and/or Bahni Turpin?

Yes, certainly.

If you’ve listened to books by Laila Ibrahim before, how does this one compare?

I have not listened to any of her books before.

Which scene was your favorite?

I most appreciated the scene when Mattie was able to visit her son after an extended period of working as a house slave, and being separated from him.

Did Yellow Crocus inspire you to do anything?

I will look for more books narrated by Bahni Turpin.

Any additional comments?

I thought this story was a little light and predictable but I did enjoy it just the same. Bahni Turpin's narration was amazing!

4 people found this helpful