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- Verified Buyer
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was published back in 2010 but somehow I missed the boat until now!I adore stories of the antebellum south. There is such richness (yet contrast) in the race cultures, the pomp and circumstance of society and the desolation that could (and did) occur on the plantations. This book captures ALL of that. From what I know of this era, the story is very accurate and realistic. Additionally, Grissom does not shy away from the unseemly aspects of the period: the abysmal treatment of slaves, the commonality of both consensual and non-consensual relations between slave and master and the overuse of “laudanum” (just to name a few).The story takes place in the early 1800’s, before the Civil War and alternates narration between Belle (a slave who is also the secret illegitimate daughter of the plantation's owner) and Lavinia (a young girl who is orphaned during her passage to America from Ireland, who becomes an indentured servant on the plantation).Grissom’s writing is phenomenal and very well researched. She never strays from periodic specific dialect and diction, on both the parts of the slaves and the high society folk. I found it highly transportive and entertaining!Another impressive aspect is the character development. There are at least 10+ “primary” characters and they’re all highly evolved with individual arcs. There isn’t a dull one in the bunch!In Sum: I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys the antebellum south and/or a page turner that will captivate you to the end and likely stay with you long after the last page.NOTE: I gave this 4.5 stars (instead of 5) because I wanted a TINY bit more from the ending. It’s a great ending but leaves a few unanswered questions. Good news...there is a sequel I’ve heard great things about called “Glory Over Everything.”Description:Orphaned during her passage from Ireland, young, white Lavinia arrives on the steps of the kitchen house and is placed, as an indentured servant, under the care of Belle, the master’s illegitimate slave daughter. Lavinia learns to cook, clean, and serve food, while guided by the quiet strength and love of her new family.In time, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, caring for the master’s opium-addicted wife and befriending his dangerous yet protective son. She attempts to straddle the worlds of the kitchen and big house, but her skin color will forever set her apart from Belle and the other slaves.Through the unique eyes of Lavinia and Belle, Grissom’s debut novel unfolds in a heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful story of class, race, dignity, deep-buried secrets, and familial bonds.
