The Indigo Girl

A Novel

By: Natasha Boyd

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

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Based on historical documents, including Eliza’s letters, this is a historical fiction account of how a teenage girl produced indigo dye, which became one of the largest exports out of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

amazing

highly recommend. very intuitive historical embellishment of the truth. a story to get lost in.

What a story!!

Unheralded part of history....I would have given a bit less time to the enamored attachment to Ben but other than that...excellent research and story.

Everyone should read this book

A mix of fact and historical fiction, this book is a must read especially if you are from the south Not my usual interest in this time period I just happened upon this because I live in SC. So much information that I never knew. For example the state flag is blue because of the indigo crops grown here in this state.
Very good narrator.
Everyone should give it a try.

Touches the human heart with inspiration sadness and hopefulness

At first I didn't like the slight British accent of the narrator but as the book progresses I grew to appreciate it. I really liked the end where they talked about the research into the history of the Liza picnic. Historical books are so much better when you know what was fact versus fiction. All in all I really enjoyed this book!

The Indigo Girl an excellent book

What a wonderfully refreshing listen. I look forward to listening to more of Natasha Boyd's works.

LOVED THIS BOOK!!

Well written and preformed! A great heroine who stood up for what she believed in and challenged the thinking of the times! I especially appreciated the comments by author at the end of the book where she explained some details about the story.

Surprising Find

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It introduced me to some one in history I wasn’t familiar with and I really enjoyed the narrator.

Loved it

I enjoyed the story immensely. I love knowing more about strong women. I know that she was one of a kind then and I’m doubtful there is a 16 yr old now that could do what she did. Inspirational!

An engaging portrait

Writing not great but sparked further interest in this woman in history. I will be looking for more books about her.

Engaging

This was a great history fiction. learned things I did not know. Author did a great job with research.