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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
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
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
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
aqtbenz's review against another edition
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Terminal illness, and Violence
diet_marmalade's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Rape and Violence
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
trippalli's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
4.0
A realistic and challenging historic fiction about slavery based on real stories and real people, their suffering and the cruelty of slavery. The need for people to work together to overcome social wrongs like the horrible historic truth of slavery is evident. The uplifting effect of religion and reading for the slaves is throughout the story a continuous hopefulness for the people suffering in the stories herein
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
flaweddimension's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual violence