gina_hesketh's review against another edition
5.0
This one will stay with me a long time. As a white person, I will never comprehend what it's like to be black in America. This book, however, gives more insight than some may be comfortable with. The narrator's use of personal experience, historical study and storytelling provides a very powerful and emotional window into how deeply the scars of slavery and racism cut. Some find the history 'lessons' dull but I found them necessary to round out the story. Every event has an impact, large or small, and the story would have been weakened without the full historical context.
kellylynnthomas's review against another edition
4.0
Read for my Writing from History class. This is an incredibly textured and layered book.
gradyobrien's review against another edition
5.0
syllabus book, actually incredible. should be more mainstream that it is. excellent storytelling. i know this is a book that requires a second, third, and fourth reading
kdempsey36's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
sadiereadthat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
This book follows a man who is about to lose a father figure due to old age and illness. He is a black man and he leaves his white girlfriend at home to go take care of this man in his last few days. While there, he begins to delve deeper into the history of his family and the area where he grew up. What he finds is heart wrenching and shows the scars of our nation.
This is one of the best books I have read this year. It is deep and dark and painful. It shows just how much pain is still felt this long after the end of slavery and how deeply those scars run. If there is anyone who claims that we should be over slavery should read this to better understand the impact that is still felt over 150 years later.
This book follows a man who is about to lose a father figure due to old age and illness. He is a black man and he leaves his white girlfriend at home to go take care of this man in his last few days. While there, he begins to delve deeper into the history of his family and the area where he grew up. What he finds is heart wrenching and shows the scars of our nation.
This is one of the best books I have read this year. It is deep and dark and painful. It shows just how much pain is still felt this long after the end of slavery and how deeply those scars run. If there is anyone who claims that we should be over slavery should read this to better understand the impact that is still felt over 150 years later.
georgiatheresa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
slimbay's review against another edition
4.0
Nothing wrong with this book that a good editor could not have fixed.
The first quarter of this book knocked my socks off! Later the thing just got tedious. I didn't want to hear what year this church was built; I was sick of his annoying girlfriend; I was tired of his index cards; and most especially I was fed up with his damned toddies. What a shame. It could have been one of this country's classics!
...Ok, I am upgrading to 4 stars just for the excellent writing. It was the meandering storyline and distracting amount of irrelevant historical detail that did it under. I think this author is still alive; I want to ask him to take it back and fix it.
The first quarter of this book knocked my socks off! Later the thing just got tedious. I didn't want to hear what year this church was built; I was sick of his annoying girlfriend; I was tired of his index cards; and most especially I was fed up with his damned toddies. What a shame. It could have been one of this country's classics!
...Ok, I am upgrading to 4 stars just for the excellent writing. It was the meandering storyline and distracting amount of irrelevant historical detail that did it under. I think this author is still alive; I want to ask him to take it back and fix it.
meganzc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
krissw's review against another edition
3.0
Intrigerend verhaal, maar ook behoorlijk zwaar en gedetailleerd (zen daardoor droog soms) beschreven. Ik denk dat maar weinig mensen dit boek kennen, maar het geeft zeker meer inkijk in de BLM-kwestie.