Golden Poppies: A Novel

Written by Laila Ibrahim

Narrated by Bahni Turpin

From the bestselling author of Yellow Crocus and Mustard Seed comes the empowering novel of two generations of American women connected by the past and fighting for a brighter future.

It’s 1894. Jordan Wallace and Sadie Wagner appear to have little in common. Jordan, a middle-aged black teacher, lives in segregated Chicago. Two thousand miles away, Sadie, the white wife of an ambitious German businessman, lives in more tolerant Oakland, California. But years ago, their families intertwined on a plantation in Virginia. There, Jordan’s and Sadie’s mothers developed a bond stronger than blood, despite the fact that one was enslaved and the other was the privileged daughter of the plantation’s owner.

With Jordan’s mother on her deathbed, Sadie leaves her disapproving husband to make the arduous train journey with her mother to Chicago. But the reunion between two families is soon fraught with personal and political challenges.

As the harsh realities of racial divides and the injustices of the Gilded Age conspire to hold them back, the women find they need each other more than ever. Their courage, their loyalty, and the ties that bind their families will be tested. Amid the tumult of a quickly changing nation, their destiny depends on what they’re willing to risk for liberation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781799755449

Laila Ibrahim

Laila Ibrahim spent much of her career as a preschool director, a birth doula, and a religious educator. That work, coupled with her education in developmental psychology and attachment theory, provided ample fodder for the story lines of her bestselling novels: Paper Wife, Mustard Seed, and Yellow Crocus. She’s a devout Unitarian Universalist, determined to do her part to add a little more love and justice to our beautiful and painful world. She lives with her wonderful wife, Rinda, and two other families in a small cohousing community in Berkeley, California. Her young adult children are her pride and joy. Laila is blessed to be working full-time as a novelist. When she isn’t writing, she likes to take walks with friends, do jigsaw puzzles, play games, work in the garden, travel, cook, and eat all kinds of delicious food. Visit the author at www.lailaibrahim.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lailaibrahim.author.

Reviews for Golden Poppies

[Tracey Fields · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This trilogy was such a surprise! So insightful, painful and enjoyable.I’m sad it’s over.

[Nicola · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's absolutely amazing. The narrator was brilliant. I loved how the story flowed.

[Cathie McKenna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thoroughly enjoying the series and following the lives of these families

[Erin Osadjan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

this book was wonderful, however, i wish i would have known it’s the third book in a series before the epilogue. i accidentally listened to this whole book without knowing that.

[Tiffany Worley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The lady who read all 4 books of this series made it come to life. She read it with such passion and changed her voice with each character. The story had many twist and turns and I couldn’t put it down. Just when I thought the next book couldn’t be as good it was. I have a feeling I’m going to have to reread this series.

[paulagalvan-323293 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Golden Poppies (referring to the California state flower) is a historical fiction book that takes place in Oakland, CA, in the 1860s. I didn't know this book was part of a series, but it was good on its own. It follows the lives of several families of different color that are intertwined by blood, trying to make a better life for themselves after the end of the Civil War. I found the characters likable and the story heartfelt and entertaining.

[jynell-71874 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Generally sticking to the 1900's when I read historical fiction, I departed from that and read this one based on rave reviews. I was not let down. I appreciate the author's raw, unapologetic truth during the time period and enjoyed how well the story kept me reading on to the next chapter.

Despite this, it wasn't a book I'd read again. It was enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and give my honest opinion.

[bettytaylor56 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I started reading this book, I did not know that it is part of a series. I am glad I didn’t as I would have passed on this book. If you are reluctant to jump into the middle of a series (as I am), I assure you that this book did fine as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story – the Pullman Strike, women’s suffrage, the anti-lynching campaign, and the fight for racial equality. But the best part of the book were the two families at the core of the story.At the beginning of the book, Lisbeth and her daughter Sadie journey from Oakland CA to Chicago so Lisbeth can be with her childhood nanny and wet-nurse Mattie. Upon arrival in Oakland Sadie meets other members of Mattie’s family – daughter Jordan and granddaughter Naomi. It is now the 1890s and these two families – one from a wealthy plantation owner, the other slaves on that plantation – have a long history with each other.I truly cared about the characters, holding my breath when some of them were threatened and endangered. The story invoked a wide range of emotions within me – grief, joy, fear, anger, triumph, pride. I enjoyed Ibrahim’s smooth style of writing and will be reading more of her books. If you love a story with strong female characters, I highly recommend her books.My favorite quote: “You set your fear right next to your hope until you know which one is your truth.”