The Indigo Girl

September 4, 2017
Set on South Carolina’s plantations beginning in 1739, this excellent historical novel by Boyd (Eversea) is based on the true story of Eliza Lucas Pinckney (1722–1793). Sixteen-year-old Eliza Lucas is charged with running her father’s three heavily-mortgaged plantations while he pursues a military career in the Caribbean. He has trained Eliza well in business, agriculture, and plantation management, and she is bright, considerate, and ambitious. Eliza sees the production of indigo dye as the family’s financial salvation, but indigo is risky to grow, and dye-making is a valuable but well-kept secret so she must approach her new assignment with caution. Kindhearted Eliza is independent and forward-thinking. She defies the Negro Act of 1740 and teaches her slaves to read, seeks their advice, and banishes the lash. As a marriageable young woman she rejects all suitors and expects to be a spinster, but as the plantation booms and her public stature grows, so does her affection for a married gentleman friend. Add threats of war with Spain and the strict social and cultural codes for Southern women, and Boyd has crafted a captivating novel of Southern colonial history.

Starred review from August 1, 2017

When 16-year-old Eliza Lucas is left in charge of her family's plantations in 1739 South Carolina, she sets her sights on producing indigo dye to avoid defaulting on the debts her father has accumulated to advance his military career. As her pursuit of a lucrative crop is thwarted by relatives, business advisers, and her own workforce, Eliza remains fiercely determined to continue. Each of her successes is bittersweet: trusting and educating her slaves destroys her social standing; forsaking suitors means financial ruin; and employing a long-lost friend culminates in devastating personal loss just as her goal of being the first person to export indigo from the colonies is about to blossom. Without preaching or judging, the narrative integrates the politics of gender inequality, race, and class into Eliza's quest for confidence and allies. VERDICT Romance author Boyd's (Eversea) first historical novel captivates on every level, refreshingly crafting the 18th-century world of real-life Eliza Lucas Pinckney (1722-93). Fans of Elizabeth Gilbert's The Signature of All Things will savor.--Tina Panik, Avon Free P.L., CT

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2017
Based on a true story, The Indigo Girl is an outstanding example of historical fiction. In 1739, 16-year-old Eliza Lucas is left in charge of her family's South Carolina plantations when her father must return abroad. Facing societal pressures and the strict gender roles of colonial times, Eliza tries to live up to expectations while still holding true to herself. She is a unique girl, who speaks her mind and constantly educates herself. Beyond these qualities, Eliza defied the law to teach her family's slaves to read. A young visionary, Eliza resolves to grow indigo: a rare and lucrative crop that she hopes will save her family from debt, if only its unusual growing process can be replicated. Difficulties arise, however, as Eliza deals with her ailing mother's pressure to marry and the unexpected return of her childhood love, who happens to now also be her slave. Through Eliza's strong internal voice and excerpts from actual letters, Boyd effortlessly brings this character to life. Readers will love discovering the amazing story of a virtually unknown girl who changed the course of history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)