The Indigo Girl: A Novel

It is the mid 1700’s, closer to the American Revolution than the American Civil War. Sixteen-year-old Eliza Lucas has been set a daunting task. While seeking to advance his military commission in Antigua, her father wants her to take charge of the business dealings of their three plantations in South Carolina. This will involve supervising planting, harvesting, selling, bartering with buyers, managing multiple accounts, sparring with violent overseers, and dealing with slaves and their internal dynamics and hierarchy. Her mother, on the other hand, has only one goal for Eliza–find a husband.Colonel Lucas has every reason to feel confident in his daughter, but no one can predict the amount of obstacles Eliza will encounter, some of which her father creates. An unmarried teenage girl who cannot vote or own land holds little sway in the business world. Only the most intelligent, respectful, progressive individuals will see past her age, gender and marital status. They are few and far between.With rice being the main cash crop of the region, Eliza sets a new goal. Indigo. It is a revolutionary idea, one that requires ideal conditions and knowledge of the plants and how to transform them into marketable dye cakes. Success eludes her again and again. But never tell a smart, determined woman that something cannot be accomplished. That will only kindle the fire within her.This is a true story, which makes it even more remarkable, and perfect for March–Women’s History Month. The real Eliza left behind writings which were, aptly, passed from mother to daughter for generations. Details lost to time are woven in elegantly by the author. The story is inspiring and the writing is marvelous. Very highly recommended and a terrific read for book clubs.

Read for a bookclub. At first I thought, oh no, another boring book about a female in the 1700’s who thinks marriage would be awful and it is so unfair that her younger brother is more important to the family and society simply because he is male. I felt like the author was throwing in some flowery prose between the same old, same old tiring thoughts or words of main character, Eliza, bemoaning her station in life. (Do authors repeat the same thing over and over because they think their readers are too stupid to remember they have already read it before, more than once?)But I’m happy that the story picked up and Eliza’s disdain was shown in action as well as her intelligence, her kindness, her industry, etc. The real, historical, Eliza, fortunately left letters and other writings so the author was able to craft her character with some depth. She defied some conventions but it was fun to see that she also enjoyed pretty dresses, fancy balls, letter writing, prayers, and friendships with other women.Natasha Boyd was able to write an interesting tale of history I had never heard of before; and without foul language or sex scenes. (Eliza does have an awakening physical attraction to men and musings about sexual relations.) However, a caution - this takes place in South Carolina in the 1700s and so includes slavery. There is implied violence and rape though not explicit descriptions.

I loved this book. The author presented an intriguing story of a real teenager who was put in the position of running the family plantation. The characters are developed beautifully, the évents descibed with tremendous clarity and the storyline moved swiftly and interestingly up to the final word.

This book is an excellent read. It not only offers details about life in the New World (South Carolina, to be specific) but it gives us an intimate glimpse into what life was like on plantations in the mid-1700s -- the good and the bad. And it does this from the perspective of a 16-year-old girl, Eliza Lucas, who is left to run the Lucas lands when her father abandons the family to fulfill his dream of being an officer in the military. We see the ups and downs, the highs and lows, of plantation life from not just Eliza's perspective but also from that of her most loyal slaves.Eliza is an incredible young woman -- so smart and courageous. Unlike plantation owners she is in contact with, she treats her slaves kindly and even breaks the law by teaching them how to read. Her humanity is commendable. And, despite her father continually mortgaging the family lands, she soldiers on bravely.For example, she realizes early on about the importance of developing indigo dye. Through several trials and errors, she manages to become the state's first and most successful indigo dye maker.She experiences unrequited love, treacherous behavior, heartbreak, loss, and happiness. And through it all, she maintains her spirit and dignity.Oh, and Eliza Lucas is real. Her two sons were more famous than her but people in South Carolina know that without Eliza, her state would likely have been lost.I recommend this book highly.

Gave as hostess gifts when traveling. Great!!

Eliza Lucas is 16 in 1739 when her father leaves her in charge of the family's plantations while he pursues a military career and her two brothers are being educated in England. She is smart, ambitious, fiercely independent and completely unconventional. Her ailing mother wants nothing to do with South Carolina and simply wants to marry her daughter off to anyone who will take her. Fortunately, Eliza befriends several people who emotionally support and encourage her desire to be fair to her slaves and ultimately successful in her pursuit of growing and processing Indigo. It has never been done in South Carolina, but with the help of her slaves and their knowledge of the extraction process she becomes the key figure in one of the largest export business in our country's early history. The characters were well developed and the language (and actual letters and prayers)of Eliza Lucas results in a delightful book.

Well written. I left the book club discussion wondering about Eliza’s mother. Was her marriage arranged? I want to believe Ben lived on with his witnesses sworn to secrecy.

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s very well written, gripping, informative, emotional, language in good taste, inspiring. My husband and I both loved it.

The author's note at the end of this book explains that Natasha Boyd had "caught snippets of a story that would light a fire in me" while attending an indigo exhibition in South Carolina. Natasha took the true story of a remarkable young woman in the 18th century and used that 'fire' to create a work of historical fiction that gripped me from start to finish – even though historical fiction is not my usual choice of reading genre. I was transported to another era and place through Natasha's writing and in awe of heroine Eliza Lucas's strength of character. Recommended read.

Fascinating and fabulous. An insight into 18th century plantation life, the trials and tribulations (and expectations) of a young woman plus how to create indigo dye... (who knew it was quite so difficult)I absolutely loved this book - was very taken with Eliza - and even more so when I discovered that her sons became founding fathers of the USA5* highly recommended

I started to read this book after an afternoons conversation in Cape Town South Africa. Miles away from the location of the book. It was unexpectedly good. The characters were well written and the energy of Eliza Lucas jumped out from the pages. This was a fascinating time in history and it is well recreated in this book. I loved it.

I was immediately captivated and immersed in the world of this novel. It is written in a clear authentic manner which pulls you into the drama.Knowing you are reading about a real persons life, you are rooting for her all the way. It’s such a delight to know that in those structured times she had a will that made her take a path not usually followed by the majority of women.Many thanks to the author for following her curiosity and revealing Eliza to the world again.