kathrynwilliams's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very interesting book. Hurston mixes biblical narrative with folklore in exploring the man of Moses. She didn't write the book from a christian perspective so many of the aspects of the characters and story line were not redemptive. However, it made me think and added a richness to my imagination about the Hebrew people as well as Black people who were enslaved.
nate_meyers's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the first 70% of this novel, wherein ZNH reimagines the story of Moses and his liberation of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt as an African American story. Her writing is fantastic. While she was not herself a Christian (despite being a pastor's daughter) and parts of the book could be considered heretical, the book does essential work emphasizing how much of the Moses story is a liberation story, how God uses people to act boldly in faith to "set the captive free" (both in Moses' time and in modern times), and makes the Biblical story come alive by emphasizing/challenging/changing key facts. While I loved ZNH's take on the Moses story for the most part, I wasn't sold on the final 30% of the book - as the Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years before entering Canan. It seems that ZNH wanted to use this space to build out the question/theme of the kind of leader Moses ultimately was, having no desire for kingship and seeing his role as more overseeing character formation of his people. But rather than come to a firm answer, the ending felt meandering to me. Perhaps a re-read would help me better grasp what ZNH was ultimately aiming for.
anotherbritinthewall's review against another edition
3.0
Wholly fascinating!
Hurston re-writes the well-known story of "Exodus" in the context of late 18th/early 19th Afro-American and Caribbean culture, with the titular character not only delivering the Hebrews but also being a master of hoodoo. Love that for him. Biggest issue are the portrayals of the female characters, they're SO sexist it really has to be a caricature of Moses own chauvinism or something; it is interesting though concerning the topics of freedom and equality and power - and with Zora Neale Hurstons own background as well. Anyway, will need to look into this further, but enjoyed the text all the same. (3.5)
Hurston re-writes the well-known story of "Exodus" in the context of late 18th/early 19th Afro-American and Caribbean culture, with the titular character not only delivering the Hebrews but also being a master of hoodoo. Love that for him. Biggest issue are the portrayals of the female characters, they're SO sexist it really has to be a caricature of Moses own chauvinism or something; it is interesting though concerning the topics of freedom and equality and power - and with Zora Neale Hurstons own background as well. Anyway, will need to look into this further, but enjoyed the text all the same. (3.5)
el_entrenador_loco's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.75
cheers_amanda's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
apollonium's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
jrudy's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookly_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Random thoughts: I feel like this book does for Moses what Mary Renault's trilogy did for Alexander the Great. Just makes him this amazingly cool, iconic character. Moses was already that in my brain, but this book gave me more words with which to think about it.
I found the misogyny disturbing, and it even makes me wonder if I read Their Eyes Were Watching God as being more progressive than perhaps Hurston ever actually intended.
It's interesting that Hurston was totally down with Moses being, essentially, a great wizard, but then was like, "Wait, hold up, he can't be related to Aaron and Miriam, that would be a stretch." Not complaining about that point; her kind of cynical interpretations of the Exodus, mixed with her embrace of literal magic, was just interesting to me.
I found the misogyny disturbing, and it even makes me wonder if I read Their Eyes Were Watching God as being more progressive than perhaps Hurston ever actually intended.
It's interesting that Hurston was totally down with Moses being, essentially, a great wizard, but then was like, "Wait, hold up, he can't be related to Aaron and Miriam, that would be a stretch." Not complaining about that point; her kind of cynical interpretations of the Exodus, mixed with her embrace of literal magic, was just interesting to me.
meganfletcher's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jazzi1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-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
4.5