The Spirit of Sweetgrass

by Nicole Seitz

Essie Mae Laveau Jenkins is a 78-year-old sweetgrass basket weaver who sits on the side of Hwy. 17 in the company of her dead husband, Daddy Jim. Inspired by her Auntie Leona, Essie Mae finally discovers her calling in life and weaves powerful "love baskets," praying fervently over them to affect the lives of those who visit her roadside stand. When she's faced with losing her home and her stand and being put in a nursing home, Daddy Jim talks her into coming on up to Heaven to meet sweet Jesus-something she's always wanted to do. Once there, she reunites with Gullahs and African ancestors; but soon, her heavenly peace is disrupted, for she still has work to do. Now Essie Mae, who once felt powerless and invisible, must find the strength within her to keep her South Carolina family from falling apart.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Southern, Adult Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Nicole Seitz is a South Carolina Lowcountry native, the author of seven critically acclaimed novels, and editor of a non-fiction anthology. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Journalism, she also has a bachelor's degree in illustration from Savannah College of Art & Design. Nicole is a speaker on writing, art, and faith; she's a painter and has illustrated the covers for her novels. She also taught art for many years at a local private school in the Charleston, South Carolina area, where she lives with her husband and two children. Nicole's latest release, The Cage-maker, is a Southern Gothic historical mystery based on discoveries she made while researching her own family history in New Orleans.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Janet Niederberger · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author, a middle-aged, middle class, white woman has a lot of damn gall to write a first person account for a 78 year old black woman of Gullah descent. She has no insight into the struggles such a woman would have faced or what it was like to spend her life raising other women's children. It was apparently all sweetness and light. The only person in the book accused of racism is the narrator's black daughter. The main character is a sweet but feisty stereotype weaving baskets and talking to her dead husband (in dialect) in a roadside stand. She attempts to weave some "Hoodoo" magic into some of her baskets, but after a fantasy stay in heaven, comes realize her errors, disavows any magic and ascribes the good outcomes to her prayers to Jesus. I learned nothing of Gullah culture. The baskets and Hoodoo merely added exotic color to the author's redemption story. It's a feel-good book for white folks.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jill]

Wouldn’t have picked up if a friend hadn’t gifted me her copy—fun seeing what books spark joy for other people. Not my normal cup of tea, but a sweet afternoon read

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant concept! I guarantee you will never read a book from this perspective! I enjoyed this immensely

[Winnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The strong female protagonists are what initially drew me to Southern Lit. This novel's narrator Essie Mae Laveau Jenkins is everything that is good about Southern Lit and Southern women. A must read for all you Southern Lit junkies!

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK. LOVED THE CHARACTERS. LEARNED ABOUT GULLAH CULTURE AND SWEETGRASS BASKETS. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A CHRISTIAN BOOK. LOVED THE TIME SPENT IN HEAVEN AND THE CONNECTION WITH THOSE LOVED ONES REMAINING ON EARTH.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Nancy Mulvany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love low country stories. Sweet grass, sea turtles the ocean.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tale of the Gullah culture and women sticking together and passing down an art form

[Gaylon Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written.

[LAMONT D · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Barb VanHorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Met this author at an adult and family literacy fund raising event - Cooks and Books. Nice event where I volunteer - plus get to try food from different local Hilton Head restaurants and meet local authors (and buy books) - what's not to like. Once we moved part time to Hilton Head, I became interested in the Gullah-Geechee culture and the sweet grass weavers who are common in this area. Seitz has woven an engaging novel about an elderly sweet grass basket weaver near Charleston SC. A quick and, ultimately, a happy read with a little twist. Glad that Ms. Seitz was at the event, that I met her, and that I bought her book. Nice.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a delightful and fascinating read. Essie Mae lives in Mt. Pleasant, low country along the South Carolina shore. She weaves baskets with sweetgrass and sells them from a roadside stand along Rt. 17 along with other basket weavers. Essie Mae is descended from the Gullah culture which includes a strong influence of voodoo. Essie Mae weaves a strand of hair from people she loves into special baskets that intend to charm and bring luck to them. Her only daughter Henrietta and her only grandson EJ have a falling out which results in a dramatic plot development and surprise climax.

[Edi · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Kristina Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful cultural fiction!

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story.


Just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Dionne Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Bethany Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Tish · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.