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leahisdudish's review against another edition
3.0
i love an unreliable narrator
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Body horror, Miscarriage, and Murder
2treads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"No one knows the worst thing they are capable of until they do it."
Collins really put in the work to research and present a story that explored more than just plantation life and what it meant for slaves. That Frannie was chosen as a test subject by two white planters to see how far they could stretch and assess her intelligence. Using her as their instrument of torture against her own in a macabre dance of discovery to prove unfounded and incorrect perceptions about Black bodies.
We move from the plantation in Jamaica where Frannie is nothing more than a way for both Langton and his wife to exercise their spite and hateful beliefs to the manor of Benham and his madame where she is yet again positioned as a piece for either to use. Here, Frannie falls for the beautiful mistress of the house, ignoring all the signs that here lies her destruction and end.
These phases of her life are told to the reader by Frannie as she awaits trial for murder. Slowly, we uncover just what took place in the coachouse and how Frannie felt as she committed these unspeakable acts to how she maneuvered between a spoilt and depressed white woman and the man who wants to control both their lives.
A really well-written debut.
Collins really put in the work to research and present a story that explored more than just plantation life and what it meant for slaves. That Frannie was chosen as a test subject by two white planters to see how far they could stretch and assess her intelligence. Using her as their instrument of torture against her own in a macabre dance of discovery to prove unfounded and incorrect perceptions about Black bodies.
We move from the plantation in Jamaica where Frannie is nothing more than a way for both Langton and his wife to exercise their spite and hateful beliefs to the manor of Benham and his madame where she is yet again positioned as a piece for either to use. Here, Frannie falls for the beautiful mistress of the house, ignoring all the signs that here lies her destruction and end.
These phases of her life are told to the reader by Frannie as she awaits trial for murder. Slowly, we uncover just what took place in the coachouse and how Frannie felt as she committed these unspeakable acts to how she maneuvered between a spoilt and depressed white woman and the man who wants to control both their lives.
A really well-written debut.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Drug use, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Vomit and Abortion
bombalurina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
The Confessions of Frannie Langton was my pick for my 52 in 52 prompt: book by a Caribbean author. Author Sara Collins slowly submerges you into the harsh unforgiving world of a young mulatto slave girl named Frannie. First impressions of Frannie is that she is an unreliable narrator trying to avoid a murder charge by writing her memories leading up to the charge in question as best as she recalls.. The mystery surrounding her time at the Langton’s and Benham’s fuels the narrative, but it is its underlying sense of foreboding that runs like a bleeding vein to the heart of the story. The 60% mark begins the unraveling. The free fall is delicious yet heartbreaking mix of truth, outrage, and despair. The injustices Frannie and the slaves at the plantation suffer due to the self serving whims of white men is both horrifying and reprehensible. Frannie’s disregard for social distinction, gender, and race mixed with her vulnerability and desires captures the innate essence of what we should all aspire to. Her addiction, helplessness, and subsequent guilt all combine to portray an all too real struggle. Ultimately though it is her “love” that proves to be both her saving grace and her fatal downfall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Classism
Moderate: Suicide
bodiesinbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Slavery, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Abortion, Death of parent, and Murder