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serinde4books's review against another edition
3.0
This was a OUABC book for Feburary.
This was a magical realism book about a place on the Underground Railroad, that no one can find unless you are invited in. It spans 1791 to present day and follows the lives of three women, and we find in the end how they are all tied together.
I really enjoyed this book, I didn't think I would. But the writing and the story were beautiful.
This was a magical realism book about a place on the Underground Railroad, that no one can find unless you are invited in. It spans 1791 to present day and follows the lives of three women, and we find in the end how they are all tied together.
I really enjoyed this book, I didn't think I would. But the writing and the story were beautiful.
alliepeduto's review against another edition
3.0
I will start off by saying I loved the premise of this story! Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and the interweaving between the different character arcs was right up my alley, but ultimately the story got a bit muddled with the magical realism aspects. I personally do not mind magical realism (I read a lot of fantasy and sci-fi) but it felt out of place in this story. I think the author did a good job trying to explain the elements that reader's needed to know, but it ended up just being confusing. I wanted a clearer explanation earlier of what was going on, but even halfway through the book, I was still just trying to keep up with who was who.
The story revolves around 4 different women, spanning from 1791 to present day. The bulk of the story takes place in the 1850s, within a place called Remembrance. Mother Abigail, the creator of the safe space within the Underground Railroad, is the primary character, and her story begins with the revolutions in Haiti in the 1790s. She flees with her mistress to New Orleans, and escapes on to Ohio to create Remembrance. Margot, a slave born in New Orleans and then sold to a farmer in Kentucky, travels to Remembrance via the Underground Railroad, where she crosses paths with Abigail. The final characters, an elderly lady in the present day with ties to Remembrance, and a young women named Gaelle, who was forced to leave Haiti after the 2010 earthquakes, cross paths in the nursing home Gaelle works in. Without spoiling any of the story, these stories all converge to show the implications even in present day of the lingering racism brought on from the institution of slavery, the horrors of which can seem never ending.
I feel that this is an important story to be told, especially in today's climate, but I personally enjoyed similar novels, such as Colson Whitehead's "The Underground Railroad" more than this one, if only due to the confusing nature of this story. The message is the same though: we cannot forget those who paved the way to a fairer and more just world, and we must not let their sacrifice go forgotten by succumbing to prejudice. That is the true meaning of Remembrance.
The story revolves around 4 different women, spanning from 1791 to present day. The bulk of the story takes place in the 1850s, within a place called Remembrance. Mother Abigail, the creator of the safe space within the Underground Railroad, is the primary character, and her story begins with the revolutions in Haiti in the 1790s. She flees with her mistress to New Orleans, and escapes on to Ohio to create Remembrance. Margot, a slave born in New Orleans and then sold to a farmer in Kentucky, travels to Remembrance via the Underground Railroad, where she crosses paths with Abigail. The final characters, an elderly lady in the present day with ties to Remembrance, and a young women named Gaelle, who was forced to leave Haiti after the 2010 earthquakes, cross paths in the nursing home Gaelle works in. Without spoiling any of the story, these stories all converge to show the implications even in present day of the lingering racism brought on from the institution of slavery, the horrors of which can seem never ending.
I feel that this is an important story to be told, especially in today's climate, but I personally enjoyed similar novels, such as Colson Whitehead's "The Underground Railroad" more than this one, if only due to the confusing nature of this story. The message is the same though: we cannot forget those who paved the way to a fairer and more just world, and we must not let their sacrifice go forgotten by succumbing to prejudice. That is the true meaning of Remembrance.
jaded618's review against another edition
3.0
This book follows 3 main characters through different time periods and experiences in their lives.
Gaelle in Ohio, present day; Abigail in 1791 Haiti; and Margot in 1857 New Orleans.
This novel is historical as well as mystical/sci-fi in a way. I really liked Margot's story the most and feel like her backstory had the most depth to it.
I had trouble following some of the story at times, but loved the overall concept of the women being protectors and learning their powers.
Gaelle in Ohio, present day; Abigail in 1791 Haiti; and Margot in 1857 New Orleans.
This novel is historical as well as mystical/sci-fi in a way. I really liked Margot's story the most and feel like her backstory had the most depth to it.
I had trouble following some of the story at times, but loved the overall concept of the women being protectors and learning their powers.
seasidefaye13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Violence
passionyoungwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Remembrance is a community of sorts, for runaway slaves, but it’s shielded by magic so that is invisible to the outside world. Abigail is the one that holds that power to keep the shield in place, called the “Edge”. But, as she grows older, things change.
💫
This is one of those stories that you have to read between the lines. Josiah, seems to the some sort of companion or IMO - a spirit guide of some sort. Each woman, it seems, is chosen for their particular time to hone and use their gift. Surprisingly, each person that holds the torch is somehow always meeting the person that’s next, without actually knowing why they have connected. And strangely enough, it seems that all of these women are of Haitian descent, living in a foreign land - being led by the spirits of Vodun to protect themselves and they people they love.
💫
This is one of those stories that you have to read between the lines. Josiah, seems to the some sort of companion or IMO - a spirit guide of some sort. Each woman, it seems, is chosen for their particular time to hone and use their gift. Surprisingly, each person that holds the torch is somehow always meeting the person that’s next, without actually knowing why they have connected. And strangely enough, it seems that all of these women are of Haitian descent, living in a foreign land - being led by the spirits of Vodun to protect themselves and they people they love.
kappareads's review against another edition
3.0
*ARC received from BookishFirst
Let's address the elephant in the room first: I don't normally read adult historical fiction. So I'm not really in my comfort zone with this book. I think I had too high expectations in regards to the type of conflict that would be in this book.
That said, I definitely enjoyed the beginning. It introduced the idea of the three time periods and perspectives very well. It was interesting reading the separate pieces and trying to figure out why they were put together and how they connected. However, this concept was sort of thrown out the window when two of the perspectives combined so we were just flipping between two time periods.
Gaelle, in the present day, is the most under-utilized in my opinion. Her chapters were very short, rarely showed up, and her part only made a little sense by the end.
Margot was maybe my favorite perspective, but by the end I had to ask myself "What was her purpose?" She was more of an observer to everything. She didn't have a clear connection to Gaelle or Abigail and for at least half the book, I felt it was hinting to her greater purpose, but she doesn't end the book much different.
I enjoyed Abigail's chapters in the first third, but then the last two thirds lost their spark for me. I felt we skipped all the interesting parts and the majority of the book had her as an older woman who never trained her protege, but still expected said protege to be good with their powers.
The plot felt aimless. There were small goals and conflicts, but I never understood the end goal, and even by the end I was kind of disappointed. Maybe this just wasn't the book for me, but I just expected and wanted more from this book.
Let's address the elephant in the room first: I don't normally read adult historical fiction. So I'm not really in my comfort zone with this book. I think I had too high expectations in regards to the type of conflict that would be in this book.
That said, I definitely enjoyed the beginning. It introduced the idea of the three time periods and perspectives very well. It was interesting reading the separate pieces and trying to figure out why they were put together and how they connected. However, this concept was sort of thrown out the window when two of the perspectives combined so we were just flipping between two time periods.
Gaelle, in the present day, is the most under-utilized in my opinion. Her chapters were very short, rarely showed up, and her part only made a little sense by the end.
Margot was maybe my favorite perspective, but by the end I had to ask myself "What was her purpose?" She was more of an observer to everything. She didn't have a clear connection to Gaelle or Abigail and for at least half the book, I felt it was hinting to her greater purpose, but she doesn't end the book much different.
I enjoyed Abigail's chapters in the first third, but then the last two thirds lost their spark for me. I felt we skipped all the interesting parts and the majority of the book had her as an older woman who never trained her protege, but still expected said protege to be good with their powers.
The plot felt aimless. There were small goals and conflicts, but I never understood the end goal, and even by the end I was kind of disappointed. Maybe this just wasn't the book for me, but I just expected and wanted more from this book.
acozyadventurer's review against another edition
4.0
“Remembrance…It’s a rumor, a whisper passed in the fields and veiled behind sheets of laundry. A hidden stop on the underground road to freedom, a safe haven protected by more than secrecy…if you can make it there.”
If I’m being honest, I’m a little lost as to where to begin with this one. This book is in no ways a simple read, but it’s intense and it’s honest and it’s fascinating.
The story jumps between three timelines: we’ve got the present-day life of Gaelle, the 1850s life of Margot, and the 1790s life of Abigail. What’s immediately evident about these women is that they’re all dealing with the realities of what being black can mean in any day and age. What’s more, is that an underlying thread seems to pull between them, interweaving their stories and the bits of magic that they possess.
Remembrance, in its simplicity, is a safe haven for runaway slaves. In its entirety, it’s a hope and a home and all the power that can mean to someone. It’s historical fiction with more than a touch of fantasy, creating a magical environments alongside its harsh realities.
This book was both intriguing and educational for me. I always say I want to read more historical fiction and then rarely pick it up because the truth is, history can hurt- a lot of historical fiction deals in tragedy. But change is bred from the empathy and respect we only learn to have when we put ourselves in the shoes of other times and places and colors, so diversifying my reading is a habit I’m learning to hold.
If I’m being honest, I’m a little lost as to where to begin with this one. This book is in no ways a simple read, but it’s intense and it’s honest and it’s fascinating.
The story jumps between three timelines: we’ve got the present-day life of Gaelle, the 1850s life of Margot, and the 1790s life of Abigail. What’s immediately evident about these women is that they’re all dealing with the realities of what being black can mean in any day and age. What’s more, is that an underlying thread seems to pull between them, interweaving their stories and the bits of magic that they possess.
Remembrance, in its simplicity, is a safe haven for runaway slaves. In its entirety, it’s a hope and a home and all the power that can mean to someone. It’s historical fiction with more than a touch of fantasy, creating a magical environments alongside its harsh realities.
This book was both intriguing and educational for me. I always say I want to read more historical fiction and then rarely pick it up because the truth is, history can hurt- a lot of historical fiction deals in tragedy. But change is bred from the empathy and respect we only learn to have when we put ourselves in the shoes of other times and places and colors, so diversifying my reading is a habit I’m learning to hold.
wellreadsinger's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
Watching the man you love be smothered by flames because he dared to be free. Having your children taken from you knowing you’ll never see them again. Running for your life cause it’s the only chance you may have to live. Finding a safe haven that was meant to always protect you, but now must be defended from the same people that once owned you. This is not even half the reality of the horrors of slavery. Despite all this, we have always found refuge in community and strength within love. We have and continue to do what we must to survive.
This generational historical fiction had the potential to be one of the best novels I’ve ever read. However, a common issue with most debuts is the author biting off more than they can chew and/or failing to execute in the final chapters to tie everything together. That makes this review challenging to write because Dave Henry, Louisa, Abigail and Winter are characters I will never forget. The resolve they had in the midst of struggle fueled their will to live and protect what is theirs. As vivid as these characters were and the diligent research done to provide historical facts and context, the link between the MC’s Margot, Abigail, and Gaelle was a disappointment.
Gaelle’s storyline feels incomplete which impacts nearly the entire novel especially since there seems to be no plans for a sequel. The majority of the book takes place in the past in 1791-1857, thus making the present day timeline almost seem useless since we never get a clear answer on what links all three women nor is the year of the present ever made clear. Further plot development would have taken this novel to the next level and put it in ranks with books such as Love Songs of WEB Du Bois by Jeffers.
Fans of Homegoing and Octavia Butler will find that this novel despite its faults is still worth the read. With its soul stirring dialogue and the spiritual element of vodun at its core, Remembrance is a story of survival, purpose, belonging and a reminder that freedom is not worth having if you aren’t willing to fight for it.
jen_e_fer's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Confusing.