A review by wellreadsinger
Remembrance by Rita Woods

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Watching the man you love be smothered by flames because he dared to be free. Having your children taken from you knowing you’ll never see them again. Running for your life cause it’s the only chance you may have to live. Finding a safe haven that was meant to always protect you, but now must be defended from the same people that once owned you. This is not even half the reality of the horrors of slavery. Despite all this, we have always found refuge in community and strength within love. We have and continue to do what we must to survive.  

This generational historical fiction had the potential to be one of the best novels I’ve ever read. However, a common issue with most debuts is the author biting off more than they can chew and/or failing to execute in the final chapters to tie everything together. That makes this review challenging to write because Dave Henry, Louisa, Abigail and Winter are characters I will never forget. The resolve they had in the midst of struggle fueled their will to live and protect what is theirs. As vivid as these characters were and the diligent research done to provide historical facts and context, the link between the MC’s Margot, Abigail, and Gaelle was a disappointment. 

Gaelle’s storyline feels incomplete which  impacts nearly the entire novel especially since there seems to be no plans for a sequel. The majority of the book takes place in the past in 1791-1857, thus making the present day timeline almost seem useless since we never get a clear answer on what links all three women nor is the year of the present ever made clear. Further plot development would have taken this novel to the next level and put it in ranks with books such as Love Songs of WEB Du Bois by Jeffers.

Fans of Homegoing and Octavia Butler will find that this novel despite its faults is still worth the read. With its soul stirring dialogue and the spiritual element of vodun at its core, Remembrance is a story of survival, purpose, belonging and a reminder that freedom is not worth having if you aren’t willing to fight for it.