Reviews

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

kdowli01's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

4.0

michaelpdonley's review against another edition

5.0

The audiobook is just shy of 30 hours long, but the story and the 3 exquisite readers kept me engaged the whole way. Each of the readers holds an aspect of the story. The first tells the winding history of a Georgian family from its Indigenous roots, to white settlers, and enslaved Black people. The second tells the modern-day story of one descendant who becomes a brilliant historian, uncovering the horrors of slavery and the resilience of her people. The third covers various short readings from author W.E.B. DuBois.

As you might imagine, there is extremely disturbing material here. But I'm so grateful to Jeffers for increasing my empathy and understanding. Highly recommended, especially the audiobook.

jaclyncrupi's review against another edition

5.0

I do not do this often but please allow me to say that I think you should put down the book you are currently reading and go and read this one. It’s 800 pages of power and perfection written by a poet turning to prose. Trust me. Books like this do not come along often. It’s a force.

stephwd's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

5.0

kamxw's review against another edition

4.0

This was an impressive read! I do feel that it could have been a little shorter because some of the events in the middle of the book were quite repetitive. I enjoyed Ailey’s maturation, as she was very insufferable as a teen and young adult lol. Many of the male characters in the book seem emotionally stunted and malevolent but that makes so much sense

susannaaaaaaaaa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

heidilreads's review against another edition

5.0

Quite the saga, but so good.

ronbob's review against another edition

emotional reflective

4.5

whatcourtneyreads's review

4.0

Love Songs tells the story of one American family through generations along their matrilineal line from slavery right up to present day, following Ailey Garfield, her mother Belle and sister Lydia, descendants of enslaved Georgians and tenant farmers. It is a tale of trauma, cruelty and oppression, but also resistance, strength, and identity.

I read this book very slowly over several weeks, and like most enormous books, I found my interest waxed and waned depending on what was happening in the story. I definitely had a slumpy bit in the middle, and wasn’t as invested in Lydia’s chapters which I felt weren’t as strongly-written, but the slump was bookended by some fantastic writing which had me super engaged.

The character development and creation of the family tree were superb and I really appreciated how everything linked back together throughout this multigenerational epic. The stories of these strong and resilient Black and Indigenous women were heartbreaking and at times tragic, but also inspiring and hopeful.

I didn’t absolutely love this to death as other people have, and I’m a firm believer that no book actually needs to be 800 pages long, but overall I really enjoyed it and recommend if you’re so inclined to pick up this chonker of a novel. It really was something.

reneeb123's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

I loved this book!!!