Scan barcode
chavion's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
archytas's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
There are a lot of timelines going on this book - two interwoven storylines, more than a century apart, both of which flip back and forth through that person's life. Also going is a beguiling, sometimes distracting, allusions to history: including a not-Frederick Douglass love interest. The main character Lefanu is based upon a couple of historical figures, including sculptor Edmonia Lewis and activist Sarah Parker Redmond. Amidst this there is a strong, moving story of being an artist in a racist world. Despite the complexity, the book draws you in - using the contemporary sections to throw the historical experiences into relief.
gio_shelves's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
garleighc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.25
perseffable's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
towardinfinitybooks's review against another edition
Plot is interesting but characterization lacks subtlety. Writing feels stilted in comparison to author's note - wonder if both or only one was translated. Also most of what I did read was set in the US, not Italy.
janp's review against another edition
DNFed at 30% on audio. Too many characters and similar names that ran together.
litgirlliv's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
jrl6809's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.5
The Color Line tells a very compelling story. It offers an engrossing historical tale that has some fresh perspectives on concepts like white saviors, the importance of art, and women's (especially black women's) lack of ownership of their own bodies. However, the style employed here is very simple and direct. It's hard to say with a translated work whether that is an issue with the original text or the translation, but I just wish there had been a little bit more to the method of storytelling here.