Reviews

Mother Swamp by Jesmyn Ward

melismatic's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective slow-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

3.0

savvyrosereads's review

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emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I really enjoyed the author’s note and the historical background of this one, but felt like the characters and the story itself could have been more fleshed out. Still, an interesting and very quick read.
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lmaowolf's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Beautiful story. Loved the narration.

anotherbooklady's review

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4.0

I found this one to be incredibly interesting. I had never heard of the maroon settlements and I was fascinated by the story Jesmyn Ward put forth. This story was beautifully descriptive. Literary historic fiction at its finest! Lovely Louisiana accent from Audible narrator.

maya7's review

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

4.0

bookswithboo's review

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challenging dark reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

jwcavins's review

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emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

hectaizani's review

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4.0

In the afterward Jesmyn Ward talks about how her research for her upcoming novel led her to write this short story. The book that she read talked about folks who escaped slavery and came together in hidden communities. Mother Swamp was her take on how one woman might have created a hidden matriarchal community that lasted for several generations. So beautifully written, and I'm excited for the upcoming novel as well.

lauren_soderberg's review against another edition

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5.0

A beautiful, richly layered tale that feels mystical and magical. The prose is lush and exquisitely crafted. I was enthralled from beginning to end. This story is yet another example of why Jesmyn Ward is one of the most brilliant writers of all time.

sprainedbrain's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0