Scan barcode
pikkumarja's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
I believe this story is one of those stories that split the readers. I enjoyed reading this book. It was so powerful. All the emotions were so skillfully described I was almost able to feel the pressure, feel the dark, deep ocean around me and the weight of the history.
The novella is queer in a unique way and very emotional.
The novella is queer in a unique way and very emotional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Blood
cb1984's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
So this book is about the impact of the slave trade on black America and how to reckon with and recollect it. As a white British person I am supremely unqualified to have much informed comment on it. But hey, this is the internet, when has lack of qualification ever stopped anyone?
It was very interesting. It felt like rather than being about the underwater society of wajinru, it was really about the division of labour in black society between remembering the impact of the slave trade on their society versus existing/thriving in current society. The idea of having a specific rememberer and the unfair burden on them, but then also the impossibility of everyone having responsibility to remember everything. It's just a very interesting and important concept. I could see it being explored again and again by different authors/different formats (as it already has been - it's a book based on a song based on an album).
The writing was a bit hit and miss - it felt like there were passages which were really well and evocatively written, but then there'd be pages which felt just pretty prosaic.
Overall, I think because of the writing I found it more interesting in concept than in execution, but that's not to say the execution was poor.
It was very interesting. It felt like rather than being about the underwater society of wajinru, it was really about the division of labour in black society between remembering the impact of the slave trade on their society versus existing/thriving in current society. The idea of having a specific rememberer and the unfair burden on them, but then also the impossibility of everyone having responsibility to remember everything. It's just a very interesting and important concept. I could see it being explored again and again by different authors/different formats (as it already has been - it's a book based on a song based on an album).
The writing was a bit hit and miss - it felt like there were passages which were really well and evocatively written, but then there'd be pages which felt just pretty prosaic.
Overall, I think because of the writing I found it more interesting in concept than in execution, but that's not to say the execution was poor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
violets__books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Blood, and War
alyssarenee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gay little mermaid x the giver x the ones who walk away from omelas
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Suicide attempt
kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think this is a very important and well-written book, but I personally did not enjoy reading it very much :/
I also think I would’ve enjoyed it much more in discussion with others; this is a book for talking about, turning over with friends/classmates. it’s not really a sit and read along sort of experience, at least for me
I also think I would’ve enjoyed it much more in discussion with others; this is a book for talking about, turning over with friends/classmates. it’s not really a sit and read along sort of experience, at least for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
nhudle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
sandstar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Abandonment
stagemanaginger's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
It’s always hard for me to know how to rate such short books because I feel like it was over before I got to really connect with the characters. I enjoyed how the author used time and followed Yetu’s story throughout while also weaving in the experiences of past historians.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
highkingmargo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'm very satisfied having read it once, but i already want to again, just to better understand certain parts with context.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Slavery, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Gore, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
just_bookish_things_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Blood