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jtherockjohnson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mariab27's review against another edition
5.0
“Kindred” is devastating in how emotionally accurate it feels. I’m still parsing through my feelings, but here are my thoughts and questions so far:
* Ways that ownership and objectification embed themselves, scarring a person for life
* Small decisions add up
* What is love if you own another?
* Juxtaposition between 1970s and early 1800s creates a sense that not much has changed, it just looks different
* Brings up the uncomfortable question: Is Kevin any better than Rufus?
* What is freedom? “He has to leave me enough control of my own life to make living look better to me than killing and dying.”
* A metaphor about the ways the trauma and patterns of slavery have stayed with us
* Feels meaningful that Dana is transported back in time when she has reached stability in her own life
* Dana leaves one home for another
* Questions the idea of “liking” a main character - while I can agree or disagree with decisions Dana makes, how can I judge her for those decisions?
* Why is it easier for Dana to love Rufus than it is for Kevin? Does Rufus remind Kevin too much of himself?
* Ways that ownership and objectification embed themselves, scarring a person for life
* Small decisions add up
* What is love if you own another?
* Juxtaposition between 1970s and early 1800s creates a sense that not much has changed, it just looks different
* Brings up the uncomfortable question: Is Kevin any better than Rufus?
* What is freedom? “He has to leave me enough control of my own life to make living look better to me than killing and dying.”
* A metaphor about the ways the trauma and patterns of slavery have stayed with us
* Feels meaningful that Dana is transported back in time when she has reached stability in her own life
* Dana leaves one home for another
* Questions the idea of “liking” a main character - while I can agree or disagree with decisions Dana makes, how can I judge her for those decisions?
* Why is it easier for Dana to love Rufus than it is for Kevin? Does Rufus remind Kevin too much of himself?
ashleighlousie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
fiddling's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leah152's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Mental illness and Injury/Injury detail
lefttoread's review against another edition
4.0
I usually bullet point the strengths and weaknesses in a story but I feel like I can't do this here. Kindred is phenomenal, and I'm not sure my review will do it justice.
I learnt things from reading this, important things that I am grateful for. We follow a Black woman from the 70's experiencing slavery for the first time and that prospect alone was chilling. On top of that, we get an unlikely relationship, feelings of empathy and trust, then hurt and betrayal.
"I never realised how easily people could be trained to accept slavery."
I don't think this book was explosive, it was a quiet book with a whole lot of impact. Kindred was first released in 1979, it's full of conversations on race, history and equality yet it was an easy read and one that I would definitely recommend picking up.
"That disturbed me too when I thought about it. How easily we seemed to acclimatise."
I'll definitely be checking out more of Octavia's work.
I learnt things from reading this, important things that I am grateful for. We follow a Black woman from the 70's experiencing slavery for the first time and that prospect alone was chilling. On top of that, we get an unlikely relationship, feelings of empathy and trust, then hurt and betrayal.
"I never realised how easily people could be trained to accept slavery."
I don't think this book was explosive, it was a quiet book with a whole lot of impact. Kindred was first released in 1979, it's full of conversations on race, history and equality yet it was an easy read and one that I would definitely recommend picking up.
"That disturbed me too when I thought about it. How easily we seemed to acclimatise."
I'll definitely be checking out more of Octavia's work.
edurnehaeon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
j'étais en stress pendant toute la lecture 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
a_chickletz's review against another edition
5.0
I am rare with my five star reviews, but this one deserved it. It's raw, real and important. It's one of those books I wish that high schools would have kids read. It's a gruesome, haunting, sad tale of a woman who must experience history and the past while understanding that she cannot exactly change anything due to her own existence in danger.
It's a damn good book and a review simply cannot do it justice. You need to experience this book.
It's a damn good book and a review simply cannot do it justice. You need to experience this book.
faroreness's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5