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The Plantation #4
Elysium
Gretchen Craig's best-selling saga continues in Book IV of the Plantation Series. A woman with a secret, Lily Palmer flees with her six year old daughter to take refuge on her uncle’s farm in Louisiana. Here she finds herself in a world struggling with the after effects of the Civil War. For the first time, Lily is confronted with her own careless assumptions about race as she learns to appreciate the humanity of everyone around her, white and black. Threatening the fragile peace she achieves, her futile love for Alistair Whiteaker collides with her own dark past, shattering all hope for a new life. Alistair Whiteaker returns from the war determined to make amends for having owned the men and women who toiled on his plantation. Sickened by his part in perpetuating slavery, he works to thwart the aims of white supremacists and violent racists. At the same time, he longs to make a family with Lily Palmer and her daughter. To do that, he must first eliminate the man who inflicts another kind of injustice on the woman he loves. Besieged by assaults from The Knights of the White Camellia, Thomas Bickell uses every ounce of his talent and courage to win suffrage for black men. An ex-slave himself, he knows Emancipation is not To attain true and full citizenship, his people must have the vote. When Fanny Brown is assaulted by white supremacists whose true target is Thomas himself, he realizes his greatest challenge may be to reclaim the heart of his beloved
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2015
737 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 15, 2025
The end to a really good series. The story got off to a slow start but eventually picked up and held my interest.
May 19, 2025
very good, i love the author's writing style. this book in particular wasn't as engaging as the first three books, although I still thoroughly enjoyed it! author does a great job exploring the nuances of the themes, situations, and circumstances the characters find themselves in. whole time whilst reading, I easily imagined each scene playing in my head! would love to see it as a TV series!
February 16, 2016
Fizzling out
I very much enjoyed this series, however this book not as much as the previous three. Less intriguing characters and plot.
I very much enjoyed this series, however this book not as much as the previous three. Less intriguing characters and plot.
May 14, 2022
With the War Between the States finally at an end, the Yankees now occupy New Orleans and former slaves are learning to adjust to their newly granted freedom. White planters also must learn to cope. Their biggest adjustment is having to pay wages to their former slaves. This additional expense is too much for many of the smaller planters and they find their lifestyle seriously deteriorated along with their bank accounts. Tensions grow as white planters find themselves in an uncomfortable situation; freed blacks are learning that freedom isn’t free. Yet there are those, both black as well as white men, who seek a better life for both sides.
Garvey Bickell’s small farm borders the acreage of Toulouse Plantation. It is here that his niece Lily Palmer arrives with her six year old daughter. They are seeking refuge from their past in the North and Garvey wants to go to California to be with his son. It is his intention to leave the place to Lily. But Lily harbors a secret so dark that if anyone knew they would shun her. Maddie, her daughter, likes their new home, called Elysium. She likes her new friend Dawn, daughter of freed slaves; and Maddie likes going to the new schoolhouse meant for blacks and whites alike. Neither Lily nor Maddie is prepared for the residual ill-feelings still simmering beneath the tentative peace.
Alistair Whiteaker has returned from the war to take the helm of his plantation in hand. He never much cared for enslavement, even before the war, but he went along with it because it was the done thing. Now he feels obligated to make amends. He works alongside other like-minded men, both black and white, the undercut the violent racist attacks by a group known at the Knights of the White Camellia (a thinly veiled nod to the KKK). Alistair is smitten with the newly arrived Lily Palmer and loses his heart completely to her daughter Maddie. But Lily keeps him at arm’s length. Although her heart yearns to acknowledge her growing desire for Alistair, her darkest secret demands she spurn his advances.
Thomas Bickell, a free black young man who is intelligent and literate, is standing for election to the state’s Constitution Convention. If he can defeat his opponent, a well-respected white planter, then the blacks in two parishes will have a chance at earning and keeping the right to vote. He is besieged by violent attacks and beatings but when the woman he loves, Fanny Brown herself a free black woman and teacher, is beaten and raped, it is almost more than he can stand.
The interweaving of the stories of these main characters is peppered with appearances by other characters from Books 1, 2, and 3. This is a fitting conclusion to the series.
There are a few negatives to this book, none of which reflect on the story itself. It seemed to be that the author was in a bit of a hurry to finish this book as there are several instances of typos and easily caught errors. These should have been caught by the editor. Not enough to make one stop reading but enough to make one pause momentarily.
Garvey Bickell’s small farm borders the acreage of Toulouse Plantation. It is here that his niece Lily Palmer arrives with her six year old daughter. They are seeking refuge from their past in the North and Garvey wants to go to California to be with his son. It is his intention to leave the place to Lily. But Lily harbors a secret so dark that if anyone knew they would shun her. Maddie, her daughter, likes their new home, called Elysium. She likes her new friend Dawn, daughter of freed slaves; and Maddie likes going to the new schoolhouse meant for blacks and whites alike. Neither Lily nor Maddie is prepared for the residual ill-feelings still simmering beneath the tentative peace.
Alistair Whiteaker has returned from the war to take the helm of his plantation in hand. He never much cared for enslavement, even before the war, but he went along with it because it was the done thing. Now he feels obligated to make amends. He works alongside other like-minded men, both black and white, the undercut the violent racist attacks by a group known at the Knights of the White Camellia (a thinly veiled nod to the KKK). Alistair is smitten with the newly arrived Lily Palmer and loses his heart completely to her daughter Maddie. But Lily keeps him at arm’s length. Although her heart yearns to acknowledge her growing desire for Alistair, her darkest secret demands she spurn his advances.
Thomas Bickell, a free black young man who is intelligent and literate, is standing for election to the state’s Constitution Convention. If he can defeat his opponent, a well-respected white planter, then the blacks in two parishes will have a chance at earning and keeping the right to vote. He is besieged by violent attacks and beatings but when the woman he loves, Fanny Brown herself a free black woman and teacher, is beaten and raped, it is almost more than he can stand.
The interweaving of the stories of these main characters is peppered with appearances by other characters from Books 1, 2, and 3. This is a fitting conclusion to the series.
There are a few negatives to this book, none of which reflect on the story itself. It seemed to be that the author was in a bit of a hurry to finish this book as there are several instances of typos and easily caught errors. These should have been caught by the editor. Not enough to make one stop reading but enough to make one pause momentarily.
October 1, 2025
Audiobook. Triggered warnings: rape & DV this author handles both very well and keeps to what was available to women at the time. Without money and favors owed to the right person by another male yes, a woman was not getting out of any abuse marriage. If she had no good male support during anything volatile and their money or her own she wasn’t getting far without a lot of struggle. Praying we don’t go back to any of this.
June 12, 2022
Plantation series
Very interesting series of wonderful stories. Enjoyed all of them.
Even though they are fictional, there is certainly a great deal of truth in them!
My Southern roots only go back to the early 20th century but I think that history is not to be forgotten or disregarded simply because it doesn't fit in today.
Well written and great reading.
Very interesting series of wonderful stories. Enjoyed all of them.
Even though they are fictional, there is certainly a great deal of truth in them!
My Southern roots only go back to the early 20th century but I think that history is not to be forgotten or disregarded simply because it doesn't fit in today.
Well written and great reading.
June 19, 2017
Very good read!
Although there are some typographical errors throughout the book, the storyline never falters. It held my rapt attention throughout to the end and once at the end I was very disappointed. I wished there had been at least one more volume.
Although there are some typographical errors throughout the book, the storyline never falters. It held my rapt attention throughout to the end and once at the end I was very disappointed. I wished there had been at least one more volume.
February 15, 2020
A wonderful captivating story
Loved this book and the story line .. I felt like I was there back in time and watching and listening to everything around me... this is a must read. Enjoyed it tremendously
Loved this book and the story line .. I felt like I was there back in time and watching and listening to everything around me... this is a must read. Enjoyed it tremendously
July 6, 2023
excellent series.
I recommend all four books. a real insight into the history of slavery and how it played out over many years including the civil war. well written with human interest stories throughout. I enjoyed reading all four books
I recommend all four books. a real insight into the history of slavery and how it played out over many years including the civil war. well written with human interest stories throughout. I enjoyed reading all four books
October 3, 2023
Wonderful!
The Plantation Series is wonderful. Elysium is Book IV. Don’t miss the first three books! They blend together beautifully. I will be looking for other books by Gretchen Craig.
The Plantation Series is wonderful. Elysium is Book IV. Don’t miss the first three books! They blend together beautifully. I will be looking for other books by Gretchen Craig.
May 10, 2017
Great read!
This last book of the series was an awesome way to end. I truly wish there was a part 5.
This last book of the series was an awesome way to end. I truly wish there was a part 5.
November 3, 2017
Wonderful read! I am sorry however that there is no next book to this series. It was good from every angle, and well worth every moment spent reading them all.
January 30, 2019
History
History's story told in the best way . Even tho it wasn't our greatest times. Very enjoyable series to read.
History's story told in the best way . Even tho it wasn't our greatest times. Very enjoyable series to read.
March 31, 2021
Best Antebellum saga / Series I’ve encountered. Couldn’t put them down
September 11, 2021
Good read
I’d like to see a 5th book of plantation series. I’d ,Ike to read about Fanny & Thomas child.
I recommend this series. A good easy read
I’d like to see a 5th book of plantation series. I’d ,Ike to read about Fanny & Thomas child.
I recommend this series. A good easy read
January 3, 2022
Nice story, well written portrait of New Orleans and the Plantations- the architecture, the food, the culture.
November 15, 2023
I cannot recommend this series enough. I'm so happy I stumbled upon it. Such strong female characters and deep family ties. I was so sad when book #4 was over. I wanted it to go on forever.
April 6, 2025
Elyslum
Love reading all these series. Always keeps me guessing what's going to happen next. I love reading about what the slaves had to endure.
Love reading all these series. Always keeps me guessing what's going to happen next. I love reading about what the slaves had to endure.
January 28, 2020
Another excellent book of this series.
November 19, 2015
Elysium: Plantation series book IV is by Gretchen Craig. It is a great book which looks at post Civil War Louisiana. The author does an excellent job of describing the problems with Reconstruction and how some whites behaved towards the blacks. It makes you think.
Lily Palmer fled to Louisiana in the wake of her husband’s death. She took her daughter and ran from an intolerable situation. She fled to her uncle’s plantation in Louisiana because it was the only place she felt no one knew about. He welcomed her with open arms as did his helpers. Lily had never thought about the differences between white and black people. She was against slavery but that was as far as she had thought. She definitely had other things on her mind. However, she and her daughter were accepted into the family of blacks and whites. When raids on blacks erupted and she saw how dreadfully they were being treated, she began to confront her own beliefs. Adding to her confusion was her attraction to a neighbor Alister Whiteaker. He had set up a school for black and white children and hired a black teacher. She sent her daughter there as it was close enough for her to attend. Her daughter, having no pre-set notions, never thought the other children were any different from her. As she and Alister began to draw closer, she knew she had to retreat. She could never allow another man to get close to her or her dark secret would be revealed.
Lily Palmer fled to Louisiana in the wake of her husband’s death. She took her daughter and ran from an intolerable situation. She fled to her uncle’s plantation in Louisiana because it was the only place she felt no one knew about. He welcomed her with open arms as did his helpers. Lily had never thought about the differences between white and black people. She was against slavery but that was as far as she had thought. She definitely had other things on her mind. However, she and her daughter were accepted into the family of blacks and whites. When raids on blacks erupted and she saw how dreadfully they were being treated, she began to confront her own beliefs. Adding to her confusion was her attraction to a neighbor Alister Whiteaker. He had set up a school for black and white children and hired a black teacher. She sent her daughter there as it was close enough for her to attend. Her daughter, having no pre-set notions, never thought the other children were any different from her. As she and Alister began to draw closer, she knew she had to retreat. She could never allow another man to get close to her or her dark secret would be revealed.
January 1, 2016
Great story of life after the civil war
Detailed descriptions of characters make this book a page turner. It was easy to become interested in the outcome of their lives. Set in Louisiana during the black reformation years, this title gives one pause to think what would have happened to civil rights if reformation continued under President Johnson. Perhaps the civil rights movement of the 60's would not have been necessary. The lives of whites and ex slaves are detailed as they try to live together in harmony and equality following the end of the Civil War. Although these political undertones are present throughout it doesn't detract from the page turning excitement; it offers a look into what it was like in the south during these years. For thought provoking reading as well as entertainment; this book offers both.
Detailed descriptions of characters make this book a page turner. It was easy to become interested in the outcome of their lives. Set in Louisiana during the black reformation years, this title gives one pause to think what would have happened to civil rights if reformation continued under President Johnson. Perhaps the civil rights movement of the 60's would not have been necessary. The lives of whites and ex slaves are detailed as they try to live together in harmony and equality following the end of the Civil War. Although these political undertones are present throughout it doesn't detract from the page turning excitement; it offers a look into what it was like in the south during these years. For thought provoking reading as well as entertainment; this book offers both.
May 13, 2016
Read all books in this plantation series!
If you love a good plantation and civil war story,these are the books to grab and sink
your heart into. All four books are beautifully written and tells a captivating story of the deep south during a horrible time in our history when slavery and the civil war was at its worst. I applaud the author, Gretchen Craig for taking me on a journey I will never forget.
If you love a good plantation and civil war story,these are the books to grab and sink
your heart into. All four books are beautifully written and tells a captivating story of the deep south during a horrible time in our history when slavery and the civil war was at its worst. I applaud the author, Gretchen Craig for taking me on a journey I will never forget.
August 18, 2016
I loved this series!
Really a good description of the South before, during and after the Civil War. I have read many books on the South during this terrible time in our history. It is a time which I find very interesting. It to me is amazing that anyone could own another man and separate his family as they choose. Just terrible.
Really a good description of the South before, during and after the Civil War. I have read many books on the South during this terrible time in our history. It is a time which I find very interesting. It to me is amazing that anyone could own another man and separate his family as they choose. Just terrible.
April 1, 2016
Ending of plantation series
A pretty good ending to a rather long series of books. Was it the best of the series - no. Was it interesting enough to hold my interest - yes. .
A pretty good ending to a rather long series of books. Was it the best of the series - no. Was it interesting enough to hold my interest - yes. .
July 17, 2016
good book
December 12, 2016
Very good
Very good and enjoyed the entire series
I am looking forward to her new book which will also be a series.
Very good and enjoyed the entire series
I am looking forward to her new book which will also be a series.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews