Reviews

Though this novel-in-dialogue provides some disparity of perspective on the motivations and actions of different slaves and slave holders, the dialogue often had a stilted quality, like the characters are speaking more for the benefit of the audience than to each other (why is Will saying "my sister" rather than "your aunt"? Why do they recite the details of past events the other characters lived through along with them?) While the historical event (largest slave auction in US record) is unique, the book could have done with a bit more complexity in places, and a bit less moralizing in others. I especially dislike that many teens will walk away from this book thinking that slavery ended instantly at the Emancipation Proclamation, and that everything was different immediately afterwards. A unique effort, but not my favorite.

"Sometimes family ain't blood but them what are by your side when you need somebody." Emma (92)

anywho2's review against another edition

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5.0

I don't typically write reviews (and honestly I probably don't need to - the Coretta Scott King Award, Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, and School Library Journal starred reviews speak for themselves). But don't let the size of this book fool you. In under two hundred pages Julius Lester has created a masterpiece. It is of course, "a novel in dialogue" but it is also woven with monologues and flashbacks to create an emotional journey because of the nuanced experiences and recollections of characters. Not to mention the repetition and purposeful usage of similes made the novel poetic at times.

sc104906's review against another edition

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3.0

Told through dialog, this novel presents a snapshot of the lives of all involved during the nation's largest slavery auction. Several slaves, masters, auctioneers, and family members provide their insight. To cover his debts Pierce Butler plans to sell most of his slaves and move up north. His daughter Francis is fascinated by running the plantation and the auction. While Sarah, like the mother who abandoned her family because of slavery, is opposed to the sale and ownership of slaves. Emma and several other slaves are all severely impacted by their lack of freedom.

I found the format intriguing. I liked that the story followed all characters throughout their entire life. The true lasting and wide spread impact of this auction was cemented from the character development.

loffy81's review against another edition

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5.0

I imagine it is a Heartbreakingly accurate portrayal of life as a slave in the United States before the Civil War. A play format, with "characters" introduced before the first page. A fictionalized story based on the largest slave auction in history. Pierce Butler had inherited the plantation and enjoyed gambling. However, he was horrible at cards and had to either go to jail for his gambling debts or sell roughly 430 slaves. This story is the powerful account from a variety of persons impacted by that day.

naomi41's review against another edition

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4.0

On March 2nd and 3rd 1859, American history was forever changed when the largest slave auction was held in Savannah,Georgia. A total of either 429 or 436 slaves were sold due to the fact that the slave owner, Mr. Pierce Butler was a gambler, and couldn't afford to pay off his debts. Though the Butler family and the slave auctioneer in the story are actual people and the story is based on historical events of that family, the writing is historical fiction. Julius Lester writes this novel in the form of dialogue in order to capture the stories that weren't told, the voices of the slaves can be overpowering and heard much louder than the long days of rain that flooded such a dehumanizing event. "The Weeping Time" was what they called that period of time in which those hundreds of slaves were sold under that heavy rain, and once it was done, the sun shone bright. This is a really good book if anyone is interested in historical fiction. Lester is a really good writer so thats the main reason why I decided to read this book and its definitely a page turner.

cosmicbutton's review against another edition

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dark hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

shighley's review against another edition

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5.0

Important story told in an intriguing way. I've recommended that we get a class set at school. Tells the story in a way that reluctant readers will participate.

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