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A review by theonewheremonicareads
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Annis, born into slavery in the American South and sold by her white enslaver who also fathered her, makes the arduous and terrifying journey hundreds of miles deeper into south to her new reality. Along the way she seeks comfort in the memories of her mother and an ever increasing awareness of the spirit world around her as Anise reaches toward new life and taking back ownership of herself.
This book. I don’t think I have anything to say about it that would be worthy of saying, but what I will say is Jesmyn Ward has reached into the past and brought forth a story so intense and searing and so heavy in the shame and ugliness of American slavery in the South while also exhaling hope and triumph. In her poetic voice she lays bare grief and suffering and what it means to wrestle with faith and spirituality in the midst of blinding sorrow. I know Ward was expelling some personal grief when she wrote this, and it shows. Her own wailing and mourning came through Annis beautifully. Grief is a universal experience, and even though this is set against the backdrop of slavery, I could still relate to her pain and desire for more in life. This is a tough read, but Annis’s story will certainly stick with me for a long time.
Annis, born into slavery in the American South and sold by her white enslaver who also fathered her, makes the arduous and terrifying journey hundreds of miles deeper into south to her new reality. Along the way she seeks comfort in the memories of her mother and an ever increasing awareness of the spirit world around her as Anise reaches toward new life and taking back ownership of herself.
This book. I don’t think I have anything to say about it that would be worthy of saying, but what I will say is Jesmyn Ward has reached into the past and brought forth a story so intense and searing and so heavy in the shame and ugliness of American slavery in the South while also exhaling hope and triumph. In her poetic voice she lays bare grief and suffering and what it means to wrestle with faith and spirituality in the midst of blinding sorrow. I know Ward was expelling some personal grief when she wrote this, and it shows. Her own wailing and mourning came through Annis beautifully. Grief is a universal experience, and even though this is set against the backdrop of slavery, I could still relate to her pain and desire for more in life. This is a tough read, but Annis’s story will certainly stick with me for a long time.