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ivona_petrova's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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
5.0
Книгата е прекрасна. Кара те да се замислиш над много неща- свобода, семейство, доверие и вярата в Бог.
(В намерението си писателката да продължи сюжетът, често някои герои оставаха назад и читателят не разбира какво се случва с тях, например с Емелина. )
(В намерението си писателката да продължи сюжетът, често някои герои оставаха назад и читателят не разбира какво се случва с тях, например с Емелина. )
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Colonisation
dbeaver77's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
To comment on the morals and themes around slavery in this book would be too much for this review - but I will say that the author makes some extremely persuasive appeals to white Christians. It’s also interesting to read this book knowing how the near future would turn out for America, and all the baggage this era would saddle the country with going forward.
One thing that took me by surprise was how many of her imagery I absolutely loved. Little things like an old comfy chair or the personality etched in someone’s face are masterfully described in a way that anyone can understand without seeing or feeling the thing themselves. Almost 200 years later I can FEEL physical things that I’ve never experienced in my own life due to her creative and intuitive descriptions and imagery.
One thing that took me by surprise was how many of her imagery I absolutely loved. Little things like an old comfy chair or the personality etched in someone’s face are masterfully described in a way that anyone can understand without seeing or feeling the thing themselves. Almost 200 years later I can FEEL physical things that I’ve never experienced in my own life due to her creative and intuitive descriptions and imagery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, and Trafficking
summeryoder's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Death and Racial slurs
Minor: Child death
oregonian329's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and Murder
stacym's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
emilyrc93's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Violence
verpissdich's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I like Cassy, but understand why she wasn't introduced earlier.
Tom's death was good for the plot Tom is a believable character, his piousness never seems completely unbelievable.
The examination of Christianity (or rather the church) as both a force for supporting and defeating slavery is remarkably nuanced. As is the distribution of the blame for slavery, which is placed on the north as well as the south. In fact, the north is at times criticized more heavily for it's role in slavery than the south, because it doesn't have the cultural and habitual excuse to fall back upon, and supports the trade through financial means while condemning it verbally.
Eva's death is very sad, and St Lawrence's death seems a bit forced/rushed but necessary for the plot. It seems there could have been a better way to kill him off
The subplot of George & Co's escape seems to get dropped after the first third of the book. In my opinion too much time at the start is spent on this subplot, compared to how much it gives at the end in return .
George's desire to move to Liberia and the discussion of nationalism at the end is very interesting
The only character that feels excessively unbalanced is Marie St Lawrence, who is entirely unlikeable without a single redeeming quality.
The end feels rushed and a little bit "happily ever after", but the purpose of the book has already been served so it's ok
The everpresent "life goes in tedium after events of tragedy and excitement" motif is very well done. After nearly every event, we are reminded of the tedium and toil of everyday life in a masterful way.
The examination of Christianity (or rather the church) as both a force for supporting and defeating slavery is remarkably nuanced. As is the distribution of the blame for slavery, which is placed on the north as well as the south. In fact, the north is at times criticized more heavily for it's role in slavery than the south, because it doesn't have the cultural and habitual excuse to fall back upon, and supports the trade through financial means while condemning it verbally.
The only character that feels excessively unbalanced is Marie St Lawrence, who is entirely unlikeable without a single redeeming quality.
The everpresent "life goes in tedium after events of tragedy and excitement" motif is very well done. After nearly every event, we are reminded of the tedium and toil of everyday life in a masterful way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
impla77's review against another edition
dark
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
Yes this is melodramatic, overly sentimental and seeped in the prejudices of its kind, but its also deeply moving and compassionate. I cant speak to how influential this was in the historical record, but it still packs a powerful punch now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Rape, Suicide, and Murder
kat1105's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
saradorris90's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Murder