Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

29 reviews

lelodo13's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This book reminds me of an epic poem. Every line is carefully crafted to convey such raw pain, beauty, horrors, and love. 
This book was recommended to me so I didn't fully know what I was getting into. The story has supernatural elements that act as a coping mechanism for the main character. 
I would highly recommend this book. 

*listened to audiobook narrated by the author through Everand

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

amandaacat's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

1.0

I could not get behind this book and only kept reading for the sake of the book club I’m in. I did not like the writing style and would have preferred the story without the supernatural elements. It’s a tough read, with the story being about a girl sold into slavery and her experiences, however I found the spirits in the book distracting and would have rather just her story on its own. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Excrement, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism

yolie's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death of parent

shainabriley's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

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

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

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

diamond627's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder

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

lyricalsoul's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

Beautifully written and read like poetry by the author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

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