The year is 1739. Eliza Lucas is sixteen years old when her father leaves her in charge of their family’s three plantations in rural South Carolina and then proceeds to bleed the estates dry in pursuit of his military ambitions. Tensions with the British, and with the Spanish in Florida, just a short way down the coast, are rising, and slaves are starting to become restless. Her mother wants … nothing more than for their South Carolina endeavor to fail so they can go back to England. Soon her family is in danger of losing everything.
Upon hearing how much the French pay for indigo dye, Eliza believes it’s the key to their salvation. But everyone tells her it’s impossible, and no one will share the secret to making it. Thwarted at nearly every turn, even by her own family, Eliza finds that her only allies are an aging horticulturalist, an older and married gentleman lawyer, and a slave with whom she strikes a dangerous deal: teach her the intricate thousand-year-old secret process of making indigo dye and in return—against the laws of the day—she will teach the slaves to read.
So begins an incredible story of love, dangerous and hidden friendships, ambition, betrayal, and sacrifice.
Based on historical documents, including Eliza’s letters, this is a historical fiction account of how a teenage girl produced indigo dye, which became one of the largest exports out of South Carolina, an export that laid the foundation for the incredible wealth of several Southern families who still live on today. Although largely overlooked by historians, the accomplishments of Eliza Lucas influenced the course of US history. When she passed away in 1793, President George Washington served as a pallbearer at her funeral.
This book is set between 1739 and 1744, with romance, intrigue, forbidden friendships, and political and financial threats weaving together to form the story of a remarkable young woman whose actions were before their time: the story of the indigo girl.
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It’s a well-written piece of historical fiction. I absolutely love the strong female lead!
Fascinating! I’ve recommended it to my fellow readers. Discovering that this a fictionalized biography was a surprise. The heroine was just that–a woman who persisted and won–both her goal of making indigo and finding her love. I enthusiastically recommend it.
A great read. Then I find out it was real.
Great historical fiction of plantation life in North Carolina and the production of indigo in the 1700’s.
As I was reading I tended to forget that this was a book about a historical figure and read it like a novel. I was very well written. I enjoy anything that has to do with Southern history. It was an interesting period for sure and some of the things that women were not allowed to do really set my blood boiling. It is interesting to see how the world has changed. I also really liked the Epilogue where the ongoing history of the characters were discussed as it is always nice to know what happens to people after the period of the book ends.
Drawing from American history in South Carolina’s Indigo industry Natasha Boyd draws an incredible portrait of Eliza left in charge of her father’s plantations and her plans to experiment with growing indigo and making dye to further the family’s fortunes. Her education, strength of will and perseverance prove the 16 year old up to the astounding task. Her father left for the West Indies to pursue a political career while her older brothers were in England still being educated. Her mother was incapacitated, which left them all depending on Eliza to oversee the accounts, slaves, crops, and trading. Wonderfully drawing from her own letters and South Carolina history, the book brings Eliza fully to life.
Based on a real person.
Setting & characters interesting, writing OK but turned soapy eventually.
Loved this story! Since I am from South Carolina, it was especially a good read.
Couldn’t put it down!
Great historical fiction set in South Carolina in the early 1700’s.
Enjoyable fiction based on a real person.
Great historical fiction!
Very good read It was based on historic facts . Very interesting look into that time in history and how exceptional the main character was.
I found this to be a moving, fascinating, educational piece of historical fiction.
Beautifully written!
Outstanding book. Historical fiction based on a real person. Well written.
This story was well done, and informative, informing the reader of the history of indigo in the U.S., and the heroine who made a tremendous difference to our country, economically and socially.
I liked that it is based on an actual person from history.
5 star read. A subject I new nothing about. Historically correct and well developed characters
I enjoy reading novels based on true history. This is a real peach of a story. You will easily experience what it was like to live during this time frame, as well as appreciate the immense effort and hard work that came with every Dawn. I highly recommend it.