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The Rice Birds
In 1849, twin sisters fleeing Ireland’s famine arrive at New York’s seaport. Only one—Nora—is allowed to get on the boat to South Carolina to fulfill her work contract. On her master’s vast rice plantation, an enslaved worker named Pearl befriends her. After one of them commits a crime, the girls flee to Charleston, a dangerous place for runaways. Nora frantically seeks to get back to her twin and Pearl tries to find her mother before heading north. Meanwhile, an old enemy’s illegal transatlantic scheme is about to derail the girls’ plans.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
290 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 30, 2022
After growing up in Athens, Georgia, and graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, Lindy Keane Carter spent the first three decades of her career writing about and reporting on things that actually happened, things she witnessed and were told to her. That’s journalism.
Then, as most writers eventually yearn to do, she decided she wanted to write about things that might have happened, things she imagined and, after meticulous research, decided probably did happen. That’s fiction. In her case, historical fiction.
The thing about historical fiction, especially in the hands of a writer as talented as Lindy Keane Carter, is that it can be so many things, as it is in The Rice Birds: an account of a shameful period in our nation's history; a story of two runaways from a life of indentured servitude and their love for family, freedom and each other; a tale of suspense unspooled over the rice fields of the South Carolina Low Country and the dark streets of Charleston in the days leading up to war.
It's not a labored search for the writing sample that will convince you she has a rich story to tell. In fact, she gives it to you before you’ve turned the first page:
“At daybreak, the survivors gripped the ship’s handrail as they searched the horizon. Below deck, where disease clung to every fiber and fluid, those lying in their own waste could only imagine the sweet sight of land. They prayed to hear shouts of seaweed! or port! or shorebird! Anything that meant this hell was almost over.”
So what if it took her three decades to discover a talent that few have. For her readers, it was worth the wait.
Then, as most writers eventually yearn to do, she decided she wanted to write about things that might have happened, things she imagined and, after meticulous research, decided probably did happen. That’s fiction. In her case, historical fiction.
The thing about historical fiction, especially in the hands of a writer as talented as Lindy Keane Carter, is that it can be so many things, as it is in The Rice Birds: an account of a shameful period in our nation's history; a story of two runaways from a life of indentured servitude and their love for family, freedom and each other; a tale of suspense unspooled over the rice fields of the South Carolina Low Country and the dark streets of Charleston in the days leading up to war.
It's not a labored search for the writing sample that will convince you she has a rich story to tell. In fact, she gives it to you before you’ve turned the first page:
“At daybreak, the survivors gripped the ship’s handrail as they searched the horizon. Below deck, where disease clung to every fiber and fluid, those lying in their own waste could only imagine the sweet sight of land. They prayed to hear shouts of seaweed! or port! or shorebird! Anything that meant this hell was almost over.”
So what if it took her three decades to discover a talent that few have. For her readers, it was worth the wait.
March 17, 2022
The Rice Birds, Lindy Keane Carter’s new novel set in antebellum Charleston, is an ideal read for anyone with Irish roots or who is curious about the Irish experience in America. Set in 1849 and 1850, when millions of Irish people escaped starvation by immigrating, it follows twin sisters Clare and Nora Murphy. Their mother and all their siblings have died, and their father has given them the last of his money and headed to a certain death at the work house.
The two cross the Atlantic on a “coffin ship” whose greedy captain has bribed officals to ignore his overcrowded vessel, knowing there will be “spoilage” along the way and he will arrive with the number of passengers listed on his manifest. And as he nears New York, he “helps” seventeen dying passengers on their journey into the afterworld, just to make sure.
But as they pull into New York harbor, the sisters’ trials are just beginning. They have tickets to Charleston on a packet, paid for by the wealthy family that exchanged their passage for four years of indentured servitude — a form of temporary slavery — but at the last minute they are torn apart. Clare is forced to stay in New York, while Nora travels to Charleston. The misery continues for both due to cruel mistresses and the universal prejudice against the Irish that places them in a social class below free Blacks and just above the enslaved.
But Nora forms an unexpected friendship with Pearl, an enslaved African American girl her age, and when one of them commits a crime, they throw their lots together and run away.
The story has many twists and turns, but as a historian I just lapped up the details, which can only come from deep research. Author Carter, who lives in Mount Pleasant, knows her stuff. She understands the workings — and the horrible conditions — of rice plantations, the burial customs of the enslaved people, the music of the Irish, and really arcane facts, such as the Victorian craze for jewelry made from the hair of deceased loved ones. She also has just the right touch with both the Irish and African American dialects. (Hair brooch from an Esty dealer.)
After all the travails of the Murphy twins, is it too much to hope their story will have a happy ending? Certainly not, and the reader will be gratified by the entirely plausible conclusion that brings them and their friends not only to safety — but delivers revenge!
The two cross the Atlantic on a “coffin ship” whose greedy captain has bribed officals to ignore his overcrowded vessel, knowing there will be “spoilage” along the way and he will arrive with the number of passengers listed on his manifest. And as he nears New York, he “helps” seventeen dying passengers on their journey into the afterworld, just to make sure.
But as they pull into New York harbor, the sisters’ trials are just beginning. They have tickets to Charleston on a packet, paid for by the wealthy family that exchanged their passage for four years of indentured servitude — a form of temporary slavery — but at the last minute they are torn apart. Clare is forced to stay in New York, while Nora travels to Charleston. The misery continues for both due to cruel mistresses and the universal prejudice against the Irish that places them in a social class below free Blacks and just above the enslaved.
But Nora forms an unexpected friendship with Pearl, an enslaved African American girl her age, and when one of them commits a crime, they throw their lots together and run away.
The story has many twists and turns, but as a historian I just lapped up the details, which can only come from deep research. Author Carter, who lives in Mount Pleasant, knows her stuff. She understands the workings — and the horrible conditions — of rice plantations, the burial customs of the enslaved people, the music of the Irish, and really arcane facts, such as the Victorian craze for jewelry made from the hair of deceased loved ones. She also has just the right touch with both the Irish and African American dialects. (Hair brooch from an Esty dealer.)
After all the travails of the Murphy twins, is it too much to hope their story will have a happy ending? Certainly not, and the reader will be gratified by the entirely plausible conclusion that brings them and their friends not only to safety — but delivers revenge!
January 19, 2026
What an incredible find. My mother picked this up from one of our favorite local bookstores in Mt. Pleasant, SC. It was written by a local author in the area. I loved the incorporation of a realistic historic portrayal of the 1800s in the lowcountry, and how slavery + the Irish immigration to the U.S. was intertwined into the character development and plot. Couldn’t recommend this book enough!!
June 11, 2023
I saw this book at a shop when visiting Charleston, and at first passed it by. Then I couldn’t stop thinking about the concept and had to go back for it. I’m so glad I did! I was swept away into a different time and place, and consumed by the stories of Nora and Pearl and those they meet. The characters felt realistic and complex, and their struggles all too real. This story was truly transportive, and I was moved by the tragedy and hope of all that occurs. I felt that the author was very thoughtful and deliberate in her historical representation of slavery in South Carolina, focusing on the individual stories of enslaved people and conveying both the incomprehensible injustice and the flickers of hope during the era just before the American civil war. I highly recommend this book to all!
June 16, 2022
This is a wonderful story about Nora, who with her sister Clare, were sent to America to make a new life after their family dies during the potato famine in Ireland. The twins are separated by an evil boat captain. Nora is to be an indentured servant in Charleston to earn her passage. She ends up running away with Pearl, a slave in the same family.
Their journey is quite a tale and a well written picture of the life of slaves and immigrants in the south before the civil war. The author did her research before writing this story.
Their journey is quite a tale and a well written picture of the life of slaves and immigrants in the south before the civil war. The author did her research before writing this story.
December 15, 2025
I loved this book! If you enjoy historical finction, and especially historical fiction, this is a book for you. Even though this book is fiction, Carter brings the lives of enslaved & indentured workers to light & follows the real history of Charleston the the late 1840"s. Very few people have a grasp of the fact that many Irish arrived in Charleston as far back as the 1700" to escape the deadly famine. Many Irish were indentured & lived a life of being owned, being beaten, some murdered. Easy read & thoroughly enjoyable.
August 3, 2023
I couldn't put this down! I love how well-researched it is, and how those bits and pieces are woven into the story seamlessly (also really enjoyed the notes at the end about the research and real history that the book is based on.) The writing is descriptive and vivid without being overwritten or hyperbolic, and is paced well.
This story captured my imagination, and I hope the author continues to write historical fiction!
This story captured my imagination, and I hope the author continues to write historical fiction!
June 22, 2022
I loved this wonderful work of historical fiction. The characters are found in mid-19th century Charleston ; both black and white /slave and free stories are entangled as this tumultuous period in America’s history unfolds. The twin Irish immigrants face great trials, but their “ end stories” offer hope. Definitely recommend it.
November 11, 2022
As many histories and historical fiction books that I have read about Charleston and the pre and post Civil War years, I was delighted to encounter new ideas, subjects and facts in The Rice Birds. The best, however, was Ms Carter's sound writing and story development. It all came together to keep me reading with interest and being surprised at many turns. Thanks for your work, Ms Carter!
June 17, 2024
Charleston historical fiction. Should have its own section in bookstores.
Of note was a paragraph or two describing Nora, the Irish immigrant, sharing food with a young slave woman. Shrimp, rice, spices..never had tastes anything like it. She left a diet of rotten potatoes.
Reading this was a delight. I’d picked it up for the beach during my CHS visit
Of note was a paragraph or two describing Nora, the Irish immigrant, sharing food with a young slave woman. Shrimp, rice, spices..never had tastes anything like it. She left a diet of rotten potatoes.
Reading this was a delight. I’d picked it up for the beach during my CHS visit
February 9, 2025
I thought Rice Birds was a captivating story, but the writing style was hard for me. Lindy Kane Carter would start new chapters without context and I’d feel like I was missing something! She filled in the gaps as you keep reading, but I found it difficult to follow sometimes.
March 16, 2023
Wonderful historical fiction providing insight into South Carolina in pre Civil War .
An Irish immigrant and a slave girl forge a friendship that helps them both reach freedom.
Excellent read!
An Irish immigrant and a slave girl forge a friendship that helps them both reach freedom.
Excellent read!
April 9, 2023
A good book.
April 4, 2025
Rice plantations in America. Who knew?
October 11, 2025
I never knew Carolina rice was a desirable export form South Carolina and there were indentured servants from Ireland there. Enjoyed the characters.
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November 3, 2025south carolina
September 25, 2024
Interesting historical fiction of the rice plantations in Charleston and the influence of the Irish immigrants in the 1860s. An Irish girl and a slave girl become friends and help prevent a slaver ship from leaving port to head to African for more slaves.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews