Reviews with content warning for War - The Wonderful Adventures Of Mrs. Seacole In Many Lands

The most important part of the book for me was the introduction and the footnotes contextualising this historic document! It is fascinating how the author defies the categories of nationality and race that seem obvious to us today, but that were defined differently at the time of writing. Her contrasting racist white Americans with, in her view, the non-racist British Empire feels very odd, especially because she also describes her own experience of racist discrimination from the British authorities, all the while stating that she is not black but merely 'of dark complexion' and using racist terminology and clishees in the description of other people of colour. Through all of this dissonance (that might be in place to suit her British audience, the hand of her white editors or her genuine perspective) shines her character and her narrative voice that paints her as a clever and shrewd traveller and business woman who knows how to turn racial and gender clishees to her favour when it suits her and how to dodge them when it doesnt. Overall it is a fascinating portrait of the Victorian era from a perspective that is hardly seen in other writing from that time.

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unfeathered's review against another edition

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skimmed through a whole lot of this; it's not the most interesting in terms of narrative, but then it is just some of the life of one person who clearly didn't want to appear unhumble. her spirit shines through... a bright woman with a difficult life who was proud of all she was able to do for the people she helped. wonderfully unique historical document

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josie24601's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

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emily_pemily's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative inspiring medium-paced

4.75

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