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drkew's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, which I’m reading for my book club. Like some other readers, I did wonder if it just went on (and on) at times, but I think listening to the audiobook made that easier to deal with. So did the story of this beauty but complex people and community.
I didn’t love the dialogue written for Simon. It just didn’t seem as natural as that of the other characters.
I didn’t love the dialogue written for Simon. It just didn’t seem as natural as that of the other characters.
bibliopage's review against another edition
5.0
A triumphant novel that illuminates the barbarities of slavery in 19th century Puerto Rico. In doing so, it also highlights the endurance of the human spirit and Pola was just such an incredible character.
loveandindia's review against another edition
5.0
Wow that was a deep dark read, but somehow left me feeling hopeful and inspired. It’s astounding the level of evilness in humans. It is important to document though. What an absolutely riveting group of characters. This book was everything a book should be.
bharris2's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
karaklos's review against another edition
4.0
A Woman of Endurance is the harrowing story of Pola, an African woman who is captured and sold as a slave in Puerto Rico. The sexual, physical, and emotional abuse she endures is horrific and extremely difficult to read. Much of the story describes her challenges in connecting with others as a result of the abuse. Very slowly she learns to trust the other slaves she works with and develops true friendships. This brought so much light and hope to a very dark story.
There was a magical realism theme early on that described Pola’s gift of being able to see people’s lives and emotions that was abandoned after she became a slave. I wish this theme had continued so we could understand the characters’ motivations more fully and that she could use her gift to help herself heal. There were other magical realism themes that were done very well.
Well written with finely drawn characters, the descriptions of the landscape and jobs on the plantation made me feel like I was there. I particularly enjoyed the needle working women and the projects they worked on.
I was often frustrated with Pola. Her anger slowed the pace of the book where I felt like we were in a loop of doom we would never escape. There is quite a bit of Spanish sprinkled into the text. I would use Google translate to understand the meaning fully and laughed when a lot of the time it was cursing and really foul language.
I would have liked for the author to provide the background on why she wanted to write this story.
There was a magical realism theme early on that described Pola’s gift of being able to see people’s lives and emotions that was abandoned after she became a slave. I wish this theme had continued so we could understand the characters’ motivations more fully and that she could use her gift to help herself heal. There were other magical realism themes that were done very well.
Well written with finely drawn characters, the descriptions of the landscape and jobs on the plantation made me feel like I was there. I particularly enjoyed the needle working women and the projects they worked on.
I was often frustrated with Pola. Her anger slowed the pace of the book where I felt like we were in a loop of doom we would never escape. There is quite a bit of Spanish sprinkled into the text. I would use Google translate to understand the meaning fully and laughed when a lot of the time it was cursing and really foul language.
I would have liked for the author to provide the background on why she wanted to write this story.
jenage's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
larobertson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
2.0
booksandthemes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
ohsheread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
rubysbiblioteca's review against another edition
4.0
A Woman of Endurance is the untold story of the intercontinental slave trade in Puerto Rico.This follows FMC Pola as she survives living as a slave. We encounter characters from book 1 (Daughters of the Stone) as they navigate life in the Hacienda. This is a very emotional read with very hard topics throughout. I am so glad I read this with my bookclub so we can discuss not only the book, but our feelings while reading this book. Right when we think that Pola was not going to experience anymore heartbreak, we are dropped a bomb and also break for Pola😭 The community and found family in this book is what Pola needed, not only to survive all she has endured, but to allow her to trust and love again.