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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
kerrence30's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
My preconceived notions of this book were found to be unjustified. Although the nature of the story is hugely challenging the main concept is thoroughly discussed in the conversations between characters and helps to educate on the variety of mindsets from the time. There is no possible defence for the historical wrongdoing to the enslaved black in America, and this novel really highlights a series of lived experiences which is lost or forgotten in today’s world. It is undeniably a tough read, but one worth partaking, particularly by those not POC, if nothing else to educate and humble.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and Kidnapping
cnohero's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Alcohol
peachmoni's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Blood, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts