Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Yo, Tituba, la bruja negra de Salem by Maryse Condé

29 reviews

emmylunaa's review against another edition

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dark emotional fast-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is the first book I’ve read by Condé and I’m looking forward to reading more! This reimagined story of Tituba’s life is the legacy she deserves. I loved this book and the poetic writing and imagery. I also enjoyed the interview done with Condé at the end of the book. 
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gravedavis's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-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? Yes

4.0

Beautiful prose and lifelike characters — I was assigned this novel for a University Literature course and ended up returning to it a year later to read it outside of academic context. Tituba's character is far from perfect, but her rawness as a human draws the reader to her story and the colonial world it is told in. I found some of the themes left room for further exploration; the commentary that is made is very explicit and leaves little space for interpretation, whereas some of the more nuanced themes felt hollow at points. That being said, Condé's writing reads like butter. It's poetic and engaging, I was so engrossed and read the book in two short sittings. Would definitely recommend, especially if you are interested in witchcraft or the colonial Americas. 
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alp_books's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

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mariekeroos's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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thewileyseven's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad fast-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

4.25

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capucapulet's review against another edition

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dark emotional

3.0

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amkclaes's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative tense fast-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

4.75

I loved this book. the story of Tituba, a woman born on a plantation in Barbados - it starts strong, she's born through the rape of her mother by the plantation owner.
Tituba's perspective is tragic, fresh, cunning... the story is so obviously horrible and full of suffering, but her pov adds so much depth and humanity to it all. i haven't read a bunch of stories set in slavery conditions, but i really appreciated that this was not trauma porn like in the least. in fact this was really masterfully done, i was totally absorbed and got through it quickly, even though i felt like the last part lagged a little, outside of that this was really a perfect novel to me.
it's funny that she references Ann Petry in the end, because as I was reading this I thought of The Street, especially the way the main character, as a black woman, provides truly intersectional analysis of the people around her, commenting on gender, class, even age, as well as race, and specifically shows the ways that we can be supported and betrayed by those with whom we find some kinship. 
beyond all of that, the story is really gripping, and i love the witch parts, the supernatural elements and the relationship to the natural world, and healing, its so cool. 
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12dejamoo's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-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? Yes

3.0

I thought this was so interesting. I really liked the introduction and notes on historical accuracy because it helped me to situate Tituba in the wider story. I think the narrative itself was really fascinating but I felt it was slightly rushed. Like I just wanted a bit more time spent on each thing. Overall though I am so glad I read this and now I kind of want to read it in French to read especially the poem as well as some other parts
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marcostorin's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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chantal18's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.75

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