The Spirit of Sweetgrass by Nicole Seitz

The Spirit of Sweetgrass Reviews

• 
  Amy

  Sweet little tale set in Mount Pleasant (which is essentially part of Charleston where I live). It's told by Essie Mae Laveau Jenkins, a 78-year-old sweetgrass basket weaver. (Interesting to me especially since I just bought 2 sweetgrass baskets for wedding presents. Javaczuk and I were given a sweetgrass basket for a wedding gift 25 years ago, and it graces our supper table all the time.) What's especially interesting to me is that so many Charleston based tales focus on the historic or plantation culture, or have a strong African American woman as a "supporting actress" category. This book plunks us down right int the middle of the basket weavers, and keeps us there. The story is Essie Mae's, and while others enter into it, she is the central character, discovering her strengths as we do, too.
  
  Essie Mae spends her days sitting in her sweetgrass stand on the side of Hwy. 17 in the company of her dead husband, Daddy Jim. I loved that element. As she sews her baskets, she weaves a tale that involves her family, the art of sweetgrass basket-making, Gullah culture, love, sorrow, and a little voodoo mixed in. There's a bit of heaven thrown in there, too, as well as strength of family.
  
  I found it a gentle tale, and was quite impressed that the artwork on the cover was done by the author, and that this was a first novel.
• 
  Molly

  I am ashamed to admit the only reason I bought this book was to take on vacation, read and then give to my aunt to add to her "Lowcountry Reading Collection" (they have a place in South Carolina).
  
  OK, I liked the cover too! Yes. I can be extremely shallow.
  
  This is one of those books that grabs you-tosses you in a chair and WILL NOT LET YOU UP until you finish. I laughed (OUT LOUD) and I cried...granted it wasn't wailing sobs, but those tears that sneak up on you when you didn't even THINK a book was going there.
  
  Essie Mae is one of the most lovable characters and one that all of us wish we knew in real life.
  
  I wouldn't wait to read this one on vacation. Go get it now. I would give you my copy, but like I said-it is reserved for my aunt!
• 
  Nicole

  Essie Mae is so loveable, you'll wish she was your own grandmother. This book is for those who think family is everything and heaven is a real place.
• 
  Winnie

  Some people will love this story but it was all I could do to finish it. I was hoping the story would focus more on the lives of the Gullah people. It did give us a little taste of the plight of continuing the sweetgrass basket-weaving tradition but it really was just a taste.
  
  I was okay with the first half but when Essie Mae gets to heaven, I was going to quit reading because the author painted a picture of heaven that sounds just like earth. I'm not a fan of books that describe trips to heaven. Anyway, I decided the book wasn't that long so I would just finish it. Turns out the trip to heaven was a dream.....oh, well....another happily-ever-after story. Every conflict has a perfect solution. Too sweet for me. But if that's your cup of tea, enjoy.
• 
  Katandra Shanel

  What if our ancestors really did look over us? What if heaven is real and sometimes we're given a second chance at life? What if we each have a destiny to fulfill and the Creator ain't calling us home till the mission is complete? Nicole Seitz has weaved a beautiful tale of family, love and forgiveness. As a native of south east Georgia, I'd like to research my lineage. I wonder if Gullah/Geechee blood courses through my veins. I'd certainly be proud to be related to the likes of Essie Mae! Amazing book. Great read. Beautiful flow. Kudos to the Author on a job well done.
• 
  Leslie

  I'm a big fan of Southern literature, and this one didn't disappoint as far as atmosphere goes. I enjoyed the main character, but the plot got a bit weird and I started nodding off about half way through.
• 
  Leslie

  If you liked Secret Life of Bees or The Help, you will like this book.
• 
  Gaylon Holder

  Sometimes you need more than 5 stars.......such a sweet book.
• 
  Megan

  Beautifully written.
• 
  LAMONT D

  Actually, this author had a featured devotional on our church's website which is why my wife read it; she would not recommend it and I wouldn't either, just not my cup of tea. But I will give the author another chance just because I think she is a talented writer, and it was a worthwhile effort to highlight the making of sweetgrass baskets and the Gullah/Geechee culture that is a very important part of the history of the low country. Everyone should travel to Charleston to see someone making these baskets in person and listen to the story of the people behind the history of these baskets and language. I do not agree with the author's theology of heaven, or the fact of highlighting a gay couple in her storyline, but it is a fictional work and if it points someone to have an interest in spiritual things then so be it.
  
• 
  Edi McNinch

  Interesting information about the Gullah culture but characters were weak. The story line dragged on without much to hold your interest except the very beginning and end. A few attempts at humor and political correctness of gays and races but did not seem effective. Doubt I would read another book by this author anytime soon.
• 
  Rita

  I loved this book! Once upon a time, I lived in the low country of South Carolina and I enjoyed the many references to the area and the interesting information about the Gullah history and the making of sweetgrass baskets. It also had a very sweet story about Essie Mae and her family love, friendship and forgiveness.
• 
  Vivian

  Sweet story. The characters were more like caricatures. The part where the author was imagining heaven was interesting but I sure hope I’m not aware of what’s going on here on earth when I’m in the hereafter. I liked how she brought the plight of the Gullah people into the story and advocates for them.
• 
  Cecily

  Loved the voice this was written in - Gullah and English, then told from earth and heaven. Sound corny? Actually quite charming.
• 
  Kristina Wilson

  Beautiful cultural fiction!
• 
  Cindi

  Nice story.
  
  
  Just wasn't my cup of tea.
• 
  Dionne Thomas

  Easy, cute read for a rainy day. You will absolutely fall in love with Essie Mae and her comical, innocent antics.
• 
  Bethany Broome

  If you want a good Christian and historical read this is it! As a South Carolina resident and very familiar with Charleston I loved this book!
• 
  Bobbi

  I loved this book. It's the story of a sweetgrass basket maker in Charleston and her family. Essie Mae Jenkins is one of the most fully developed, interesting and colorful people you'll ever find. In her early life she was a nanny and housekeeper for a number of white families (think The Help) and loves them as much as she does her own daughter, Henrietta. She's particularly close to her grandson, EJ, Henrietta's son.
  
  The humor and wisdom in this book are lyrical and irresistible. Essie Mae, after retiring from housekeeping and childrearing, becomes a sweetgrass basket weaver, selling her baskets in her stand on Rt 17 (If you know Charleston, you'll know Rt 17). In the pink plastic chair next to her sits her deceased husband, Daddy Jim. No one can see or talk to Jim except Essie but he is the love of her life.
  
  You'll learn a lot about the Gullah/Geechee heritage of South Carolina in this book. It's a dying way of life. I remember going to Charleston years ago and buying sweetgrass baskets for almost nothing; a hard way to make a living. Daughters wanted to make a better living elsewhere. Today the baskets are expensive, as they ought to be as one takes many hours to weave.
  
  From here you'll have to read the rest of the story; I don't want to give away any more. But I think you'll love this book as much as I did.
• 
  Nora St Laurent

  This book has a good feel about it and I learned much of the Gullah culture. The main character, Essie Mae Laveau Jenkins rich and brings the Spirit of Sweetgrass to life. The Author conveys the richness and lyrical nature of the Gullah language, but it is based on oral traditions. The author encourages readers to visit the Low country and experience the Gullah/Geechee culture and sweet grass basket makers first hand. She goes into this in the book and it is fascinating and amazing. I didn't know anything about this before reading this book. It is a fun book.
  
  Disclosure of Material Connection:
  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
  
  Nora St Laurent
  TBCN Where Book Fun Begins
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• 
  Tish

  This small book tells a great big story.It is told in the first person of Ella Mae. a older black woman from Mt.Pleasant ,SC.She is a sweetgrass basket maker for the latter part of her life.She sells her baskets on Route 17.
  There is a religious content to this book;if that would bother you,i'd stay away. Not one for this type of reading,this book did make me smile,laugh but most of all feel good.
  
  I treasure my own sweetgrass basket,and I am happy that there is a real organization to protect the artists and their beautiful craft.
• 
  Ala

  This novel is about Essie Mae, a sweetgrass basket weaver in South Carolina, partly descended from the Gullah. Her accent is endearing as is her family. This novel delves into spirituality, tradition, family and a bit of racial relations. I wish the ending was different, the reader ends up questioning certain things because of it. There are also a couple of events that happen that I wish hadn't. They help to develop Essie's character, and sort of help the plotline, but I think they should have been left out.