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tlaynejones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Slavery and Injury/Injury detail
emmavardy2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
whatthekatdraggedin's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death
Minor: War
toffishay's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
emma_reading_love's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Racism
atamano's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Minor: Slavery and War
charity_ix's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book was published in 1930, but I was very surprised at how relevant it is today. My favorite part of this book is how real each of the characters felt. As I said earlier, although the book discusses multiple topics of controversy within the black community today, the characters don't feel like a political statement. Nobody from this book is supposed to be "bad" or "wrong", it's just a matter of differing opinions as a result of each character's personal experiences.
Aunt Hager, Harriet, and Sandy were my favorite characters. I didn't care much for Annjee because while I knew she was trying her hardest and loved her family, it felt like she chose Jimboy, who really ain't nothing, over them. Jimboy was alright, but he really didn't have any connection with his own son who basically idolized him when he was younger. Aunt Tempy also got on my nerves (for obvious reasons) and I hated how she tried to claim Sandy's smarts were thanks to her when in reality Hager was the only one who raised and cared for him. Sandy as a narrator was genius because, as said in the introduction, he has this observant point of view where he's always in the middle of everything. As he got older, I came to really enjoy Sandy.
The portrayal of blackness in this book was also perfect. From the accent and improper English the elders spoke, to the foods described, all of it was so raw and real which was refreshing.
This is the first book in my life where I've felt the need to tab/annotate and I probably will after completing this review. It made me think about the ways of life as an African American. I cried so much and gained so many new perspectives after reading this. I would highly recommend this book to other black people, specifically ADOS. Loved it and can't wait to read more from Hughes!
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
Moderate: Death and Slavery