Book Review: “Scarlet Carnation” by Laila Ibrahim

“Scarlet Carnation” by Laila Ibrahim (2022)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Page Length: 314 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

In an early twentieth-century America roiling with racial injustice, class divides, and WWI, two women fight for their dreams in a galvanizing novel by the bestselling author of Golden Poppies.

1915. May and Naomi are extended family, their grandmothers’ lives inseparably entwined on a Virginia plantation in the volatile time leading up to the Civil War. For both women, the twentieth century promises social transformation and equal opportunity.

May, a young white woman, is on the brink of achieving the independent life she’s dreamed of since childhood. Naomi, a nurse, mother, and leader of the NAACP, has fulfilled her own dearest desire: buying a home for her family. But they both are about to learn that dreams can be destroyed in an instant. May’s future is upended, and she is forced to rely once again on her mother. Meanwhile, the white-majority neighborhood into which Naomi has moved is organizing against her while her sons are away fighting for their country.

In the tumult of a changing nation, these two women—whose grandmothers survived the Civil War—support each other’s quest for liberation and dignity. Both find the strength to confront injustice and the faith to thrive on their chosen paths.

Review:

I am always drawn to the genre of Historical Fiction especially when it focuses on life in the early 20th century. Scarlet Carnation is a novel that takes place at this time during high tension racial issues and WW1. The story focuses on two very different women, May and Naomi, who are extended family and the very different lives that they lead. Alternating in different chapters with different perspectives and we follow May and Naomi and their vastly different lives.

This is the first book that I have read by the author Ibrahim and I appreciate her very detailed descriptions and how she paints a very vivid portrait of 20th century America. The real focus of the novel is on race relations and how it affects these to women in the different lives that they leave. We get to see May who is a young white woman who lives independent life but something happens where she will have to adapt and hopefully get support from her family. On the other hand, we have Naomi a Black woman with a loving family and heavily involved in the NAACP chapter for her city. Naomi wants more for her family and works hard with the NAACP to fight for racial justice and equal opportunity.

I like that Ibrahim is very open about 20th century America and the difficulties many people faced. We see how especially women had to fight for gender equality, and she goes into depth about racism, sexism, disabilities, and economic disparities of the time. Though May and Naomi struggle with multiple problems throughout their lives and are they trying to persevere over obstacles. I really love how the alternating perspectives propel you through the story and keep the reader interested.

This was a beautiful moving novel and very emotional at times. I loved seeing the growth of the main characters and how their stories intertwine and evolve over the narrative. A fascinating Historical novel tackles a lot of history in one book but in a way that is easy to follow. I love how the symbolism of the title also plays into the story. A highly recommended Historical Fiction read.

Final Verdict: