Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

48 reviews

nrogers_1030's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Grief

bookishkellyn's review against another edition

challenging dark

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

I don’t even really understand what I just read–or what the point of the book was–so I’m withholding a numerical rating. The synopsis was accurate but really undersold how big a role the spirits played in the storyline. I almost felt like the spiritual element got more face time than the main character (Annis/Arese). It revolved heavily around the ambiguous nature of her ‘ancestral’ spirit (Aza). The vibe was ultra gloomy with fleeting tender moments from love interests (Safi & Bastian). If this hadn’t been a book club read, I would’ve DNF’d for sure.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death, Rape, and Grief

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Vomit, and Pregnancy

bluz19's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This story is categorized as literary fiction with the themes of being heavy, supernatural, cerebral, and have LGBTQ+ themes. Trigger Warning: rape, sexual assault, slavery and abuse. This is not a usual read, it is a hard truth, it is harsh and real but it is also lyrical and reads like a song. It is about a generational love and the trust of a daughter. Annis is the descendant of a West African warrior, she comes from so much strength. When her mom is sold in the slave market she is overtaken with grief. Then Annis is sold South, along the journey, a weather spirit using the namesake of Annis’ grandmother appears. She goes on a physical and spiritual journey to understand herself and her past.

It is a hard read because it is based in the time of American slavery, you experience the hard truth that is slavery. The ripping apart of families, the assault on black bodies and disregard for those lives. You also see the traditions of black families that still exist today. You see the strength and the culture. We so often talk about “we lost our history when they stole us” this is a book of transitioning and finding freedom in our current situation. This book by no means glorified slavery, instead it shows us the power that is ourselves and our choices. 

I think I originally picked up this book to just get the experience of the read. I think I would read again just because there is so much to unpack there and a lot of it is about finding the deeper meaning. There involved so many themes that I think could be flushed out more. Although this isn’t my usual read, I think it was definitely a story worth diving into to.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent

fkshg8465's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Like most books on slavery, this was emotionally hard to read. But it was beautifully written, and I loved Annis and even Aza. I have hope for Annis.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

calcijade's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective tense medium-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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, and Grief

ka_cam's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Brutal and lyrical, follows a young woman born into US slavery and sold down the river after her mother and with, though quickly separated from, her lover. Spirit-ful and spiritual reflections on grief, intergenerational trauma, mother’s love, the connections between people, places and times. Good, heartbreaking, read

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

campredwood's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

I’ve never wanted so badly to be finished with such a beautifully written book. Gut wrenching. I dreaded picking it back up and following Annis’s story. But if some atrocities had to be lived, if this author out this much into this book- it deserves to be read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Torture, Grief, and Pregnancy

seph268's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I love the aspect of queerness woven in the story. it was a small glimmer in such a harrowing story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Slavery, Excrement, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cultural appropriation

jkpiowa's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

It's hard to say I loved this when it is so heartbreaking, but I loved this. The parallels with Dante's Inferno, the fact that none of the slaveholders/etc. are named, the extremely beautiful and descriptive writing. Historical fiction isn't normally my thing, and sad books definitely aren't my thing - but I am so glad I gave this a shot. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Rape and Death of parent

burnourhistory's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent