Scan barcode
annettefunnycello's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I think I should have liked this more, and it's hard to put my finger on why I liked it less. The easy observation is that there is Langston Cane, and also Langston Cane the Fifth (the narrator) plus two additional Langston Canes (one father named all three sons after himself), so the story has a feel of male-centred history with little advancement or attention paid to the women in the story. But does a novel always have to be fit with my social/political/other values? No. That was an internal struggle for me, yet it helped compromise my fondness for what is a fine accomplishment, this book. This telling of cross-border, cross-generational/religion/other development of a family is how legacies are built. Often myths, aren't they? Legacies. And this *is* a novel, as author Lawrence Hill carefully points out at the end. Yet it's an important historical story none the less. Recommended.
I think I should have liked this more, and it's hard to put my finger on why I liked it less. The easy observation is that there is Langston Cane, and also Langston Cane the Fifth (the narrator) plus two additional Langston Canes (one father named all three sons after himself), so the story has a feel of male-centred history with little advancement or attention paid to the women in the story. But does a novel always have to be fit with my social/political/other values? No. That was an internal struggle for me, yet it helped compromise my fondness for what is a fine accomplishment, this book. This telling of cross-border, cross-generational/religion/other development of a family is how legacies are built. Often myths, aren't they? Legacies. And this *is* a novel, as author Lawrence Hill carefully points out at the end. Yet it's an important historical story none the less. Recommended.
rachelbernholtz's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hezzie67's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
4.0
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
Slow to get into it but entertaining once I did. Liked the stories about the former Langston Canes the most but it was a bit confusing keeping each one's story straight.
cameronwaller's review
2.0
I just finished a dense, 630 page novel in under a week... bruh, English degrees are no joke.
I had the pleasure of hearing Lawrence Hill speak in a small setting at my university last year. This was after I had just finished reading his best-known novel, The Book of Negroes . I was inspired by a lot of what he said about blending facts and fiction in his writing, and it helped me a lot when it came time to write my term paper. So for that alone, I will always hold a special place in my heart for Hill.
Overall, I find Hill to be a very enthralling writer, who crafts sentences and chapters that are easy flowing. His books deal with difficult subjects, yet they are also incredibly readable. This novel, however, missed the mark.
A few vignettes in this novel were worth the read, but, as a whole, the packaging of this narrative is weak, confused, and jumbled. The story casts several lines for the readers to follow, but does not catch anything for its efforts. Strong characterization is not to be found, and much of the dialogue is clunky and cliché.
Any Known Blood is unfortunately a disappointing read from an otherwise talented author.
I had the pleasure of hearing Lawrence Hill speak in a small setting at my university last year. This was after I had just finished reading his best-known novel, The Book of Negroes . I was inspired by a lot of what he said about blending facts and fiction in his writing, and it helped me a lot when it came time to write my term paper. So for that alone, I will always hold a special place in my heart for Hill.
Overall, I find Hill to be a very enthralling writer, who crafts sentences and chapters that are easy flowing. His books deal with difficult subjects, yet they are also incredibly readable. This novel, however, missed the mark.
A few vignettes in this novel were worth the read, but, as a whole, the packaging of this narrative is weak, confused, and jumbled. The story casts several lines for the readers to follow, but does not catch anything for its efforts. Strong characterization is not to be found, and much of the dialogue is clunky and cliché.
Any Known Blood is unfortunately a disappointing read from an otherwise talented author.
kiwikazz's review against another edition
4.0
While I enjoyed this story - the hopping around between 5 generations became slightly confusing....
The story revolves around racial tensions spanning 150 years shown through 5 generations of a family.
I must say his other novel, Someone Knows My Name, is still one of my favourties and highly recommend that one.
The story revolves around racial tensions spanning 150 years shown through 5 generations of a family.
I must say his other novel, Someone Knows My Name, is still one of my favourties and highly recommend that one.
qailaw's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
msvenner's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was going to be a five star review but the ending seemed to drag too much. Lawrence Hill is a gifted writer. This book is about five generations of men from slavery to modern times. Each man has a unique story and one that felt real, like they stepped out of history.