polyphonic_reads's review against another edition
dark
slow-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Gore, Racism, Racial slurs, Rape, and Genocide
cass_lit's review against another edition
2.25
I may be in the minority here, but I hated this. I would have DNF’d if I didn’t own a physical copy and I started it for a readathon. But by the end, I was listening to the audio on 3x speed.
I don’t think I can pick out exactly why I hated it so much. The book isn’t intended to be pleasant or enjoyable — it’s a book about slave women. There are all of the trigger warnings you would expect: violence, rape, racism (verbal and physical), etc. I knew that going in. Beyond that, I expected a different focus of the book. Maybe this was my mistake, but I thought there would be a little bit of magical realism element. I also knew Lilith would be the main character, but I thought the other “Night Women” would play a more important role. I thought their planning and community would be the focus, rather than Lilith’s internal struggles and questions. And it sucks, but I just hated Lilith. I get that she’s young when we start following her. I get that she’s literally never had a free choice or opportunity. I get that she’s born into hell and generational trauma and was made to be stronger than she ever should’ve had to be. But GOD is she ANNOYING. I was rolling my eyes at her constantly and by the end wanted to scream out loud at her to fight.
Unfortunately, maybe it’s Marlon James and I that don’t mesh well. I also wanted to DNF Black Leopard, Red Wolf and by the end of that was at 3x speed audio as well. People loved that one too but it wasn’t for me; I thought maybe a different genre would work better (it didn’t). And I’m not saying it can’t ever be done or done well, but there’s something about reading very explicit scenes with the rape of women that were written by men that really take me out of the story.
The 0.25 was added at the end when you find out who the narrator is. I liked that twist. Also a little unique thing I enjoyed was all of the character names and their allegories.
I don’t think I can pick out exactly why I hated it so much. The book isn’t intended to be pleasant or enjoyable — it’s a book about slave women. There are all of the trigger warnings you would expect: violence, rape, racism (verbal and physical), etc. I knew that going in. Beyond that, I expected a different focus of the book. Maybe this was my mistake, but I thought there would be a little bit of magical realism element. I also knew Lilith would be the main character, but I thought the other “Night Women” would play a more important role. I thought their planning and community would be the focus, rather than Lilith’s internal struggles and questions. And it sucks, but I just hated Lilith. I get that she’s young when we start following her. I get that she’s literally never had a free choice or opportunity. I get that she’s born into hell and generational trauma and was made to be stronger than she ever should’ve had to be. But GOD is she ANNOYING. I was rolling my eyes at her constantly and by the end wanted to scream out loud at her to fight.
Unfortunately, maybe it’s Marlon James and I that don’t mesh well. I also wanted to DNF Black Leopard, Red Wolf and by the end of that was at 3x speed audio as well. People loved that one too but it wasn’t for me; I thought maybe a different genre would work better (it didn’t). And I’m not saying it can’t ever be done or done well, but there’s something about reading very explicit scenes with the rape of women that were written by men that really take me out of the story.
The 0.25 was added at the end when you find out who the narrator is. I liked that twist. Also a little unique thing I enjoyed was all of the character names and their allegories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Racism, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Drug abuse
tragicromancer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
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
4.5
Acutely and accurately horrific in it’s detailed depiction of life on a plantation in Jamaica, this story is essentially about a young slave woman finding herself caught between two worlds and succumbing to the all-too-human instinct to belong as larger events unfold around her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Rape, and Violence
vivacissimx's review against another edition
4.0
Most of the reviews I read touched on the harsh language, which is relentless, yes, but ultimately words of the time and not overbearing in and of themselves considering the context. The patois makes the whole narrative really come to life.
Above all, these characters were so completely fleshed and human. Real triumph by the author.
I will say - as disturbing as a lot of the content is, what I really struggle to wrap my head around was the ending. I wouldn't say it "fell flat" but it didn't feel completely natural to Lilith. I just feel like I'll be thinking about this book for a while, because it punches you long after you've finished it.
Above all, these characters were so completely fleshed and human. Real triumph by the author.
I will say - as disturbing as a lot of the content is, what I really struggle to wrap my head around was the ending. I wouldn't say it "fell flat" but it didn't feel completely natural to Lilith. I just feel like I'll be thinking about this book for a while, because it punches you long after you've finished it.
cawhite's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good book, but a bit tiresome to listen to because of the dialect.
gugsnbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book in 2010, and again as my book club selection in 2015.
The Book of Night Women kept me interested and engaged for the length the book. I thought that it was a well-rounded and very well developed story tackling a sad and brutal history without an gentleness.
However, I felt that the book was overly sexualised and unnecessarily raw and crude. While some in my bookclub felt that it was a true reflection of what happened, I thought it was over the top and playing in to some already strongly held stereotypes of slaves.
I wondered whether this was because the book is written by a man - it raised interesting discussion on male authors writing female perspectives.
Overall, a good book, but be prepared when you read it - it's harsh.
The Book of Night Women kept me interested and engaged for the length the book. I thought that it was a well-rounded and very well developed story tackling a sad and brutal history without an gentleness.
However, I felt that the book was overly sexualised and unnecessarily raw and crude. While some in my bookclub felt that it was a true reflection of what happened, I thought it was over the top and playing in to some already strongly held stereotypes of slaves.
I wondered whether this was because the book is written by a man - it raised interesting discussion on male authors writing female perspectives.
Overall, a good book, but be prepared when you read it - it's harsh.
muddler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0