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The Indigo Girl cover art

The Indigo Girl

By: Natasha Boyd
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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Summary

In this incredible story of ambition, betrayal, and sacrifice, an extraordinary sixteen-year-old girl in Colonial South Carolina defies all expectations to achieve her dream.

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Based on historical documents, including Eliza’s letters, this is a historical fiction account of how a teenage girl produced indigo dye, which became one of the largest exports out of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.

©2017 Natasha Boyd (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Maarleveld characterizes Eliza so well that listeners will feel they know her, and understand her complex emotions and struggles to succeed in a man’s world. Her excellent reading enlivens a large cast…Pacing is spot on.” - Booklist

“….fully transports the listener to a different time and place.” - AudioFile

What listeners say about The Indigo Girl

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Couldn’t stomach the ‘good’ girl idea

It maybe the context of BLM but I found it difficult to stomach a story about a ‘good white girl’ who of course wouldn’t be cruel to her black slaves, the plantation owner being blameless - apart from the fact that the cruel overseers were employed by them. I didn’t read the whole book so maybe I would have become more convinced had I continued. I just found it hard to stomach.

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4 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

A parody of white girl privilege

I cannot believe that this book is so tone-deaf and not an SNL sketch. The white saviour protagonist (slave owner) cannot seem to understand that the black man she has a crush on wants nothing to do with her because HE DOESN'T WANT TO DIE. Also, several times says that the slaves have more freedom than her because she is a woman. It's so unbelievably unaware and self-pitying it truly seems like the worst example of white girl privilege. It's a real shame because Eliza Lucas seems like a very interesting person and a great topic for historical fiction.

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3 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Slow and Unbelievable

Book was slow and concentrated too much on tenuous imagined relationships. I realise historical fiction requires the author to fill in, but felt that, for example, in the relationship with Ben, the author imagined too much and too far using the sensibilities of a 21st Century mind - not using what should have been an 18th century mind. The author then scampered over much of the rest of her life in a frustrating epilogue! All in all it fell between two stools - neither being a rounded fictional novel, nor achieving historical accuracy despite claims to have used words from collected letters.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Indigo Girl is a lovely, interesting and informative story. I didn’t want it to end.

Best most interesting and informative book I’ve listened to in a long time. The characters became real to me

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beliving in yourself

One of the most engaging stores i have heard. Totally enjoyable and then finding out it is basen on a real persons life. Easy to lysten to and follow through time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Engrossing storyline

I liked everything about this story with its strong ethics about slavery and misogyny. I wasn't quite so keen on the ending where it became a little too mills and boonish . But I'm very resistant to that type of thing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The most incredible true story of a courageous young woman

Loved this story. Second time listening to it. Huge thanks to the author & her note at the end. Cannot recommend enough for women young & old everywhere.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved every second!

A beautifully written and narrated story. I couldn’t wait to listen to it every day!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely story

Great narrator who told the story very well. Interesting with the real event historical background as well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a fabulous, gripping , educational story. Based on real life experiences.

Fabulous writing. Engrossing. Determination, faith and determined efforts. Really great book to read. Loved it. Thank you.

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