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aliciaclarereads's Reviews (1.25k)
There is so much going on in this book that I think I'll still be processing it for awhile. This book is such a complex look at the institution of slavery. I think so much of the portrayal of slavery can be very cartoonish villainry, but Colson Whitehead really explores so much more than that; I was particularly appalled by all the medical experiments: the Tuskegee Syphilis experiment and the forced sterilizations. It's a horrific travesty in the history of science, and there's a need for some serious reparations for all the of people who were egregiously affected by it.
The really fascinating part of this story is that the Underground Railroad is an actual railroad; a series of underground tunnels with single car locomotives connecting the country. I'll admit: there was a decent stretch of my childhood where I thought the Underground Railroad was a true railroad, so I was so intrigued by this concept. However, it's a really small fraction of the book. I was a bit disappointed, and would have really loved a whole book about the operation. But what Whitehead did include was disjointed and varied, which was probably was a more fair representation of how an escape route would work.
Honestly, I'm conflicted in this book. Some passages in this book were really engaging and kept me on my toes. Others just seemed to blur past so much information. I started with audiobook on this, and had to switch to the ebook because I just couldn't concentrate enough. The narrator had a great voice, but I don't think this writing works well in the audio format. I also really wish we got more from Cora. She's our focal point of our story, but it still feels like we're lacking her perspective. It's so clear that Whitehead did extensive research, and he paints an intricate picture of the US, but I would have just loved a bit more character work.
The really fascinating part of this story is that the Underground Railroad is an actual railroad; a series of underground tunnels with single car locomotives connecting the country. I'll admit: there was a decent stretch of my childhood where I thought the Underground Railroad was a true railroad, so I was so intrigued by this concept. However, it's a really small fraction of the book. I was a bit disappointed, and would have really loved a whole book about the operation. But what Whitehead did include was disjointed and varied, which was probably was a more fair representation of how an escape route would work.
Honestly, I'm conflicted in this book. Some passages in this book were really engaging and kept me on my toes. Others just seemed to blur past so much information. I started with audiobook on this, and had to switch to the ebook because I just couldn't concentrate enough. The narrator had a great voice, but I don't think this writing works well in the audio format. I also really wish we got more from Cora. She's our focal point of our story, but it still feels like we're lacking her perspective. It's so clear that Whitehead did extensive research, and he paints an intricate picture of the US, but I would have just loved a bit more character work.
This novel was so gorgeous and lush, delving into girlhood and exploring friendships, grief, and family so beautifully. Jacqueline Woodson is one hell of a writer. I shared some of my highlighted passages:
"Because even though Sylvia, Angela, Gigi and I came together like a jazz improv--half notes tentatively moving toward one another until the ensemble found its footing and the music felt like it had always been playing--we didn't have jazz to know this was who we were."
"I was eleven, the idea of two identical digits in my age was still new and spectacular and heartbreaking."
"The four of us together weren't something they understood. They understood girls alone, folding their arms across their breasts, praying for invisibility."
"My Muslim beliefs lived just left of my heart. I was leaving space for something more promising. Let her be who she's trying to become, my father said. Yeah, I said. Let me be myself."
"Because even though Sylvia, Angela, Gigi and I came together like a jazz improv--half notes tentatively moving toward one another until the ensemble found its footing and the music felt like it had always been playing--we didn't have jazz to know this was who we were."
"I was eleven, the idea of two identical digits in my age was still new and spectacular and heartbreaking."
"The four of us together weren't something they understood. They understood girls alone, folding their arms across their breasts, praying for invisibility."
"My Muslim beliefs lived just left of my heart. I was leaving space for something more promising. Let her be who she's trying to become, my father said. Yeah, I said. Let me be myself."
read for PopSugar 2018 challenge: a book from a celebrity book club
This book was really powerful. I had it as an audiobook, and it was really difficult to hear Roxane describe the trauma she faced. But she has a gorgeous voice and I was totally immersed in this book. I admire Roxane's willingness to be so open about her life. I can't really articulate my thoughts well except to say read this book. You will not regret it.
This book was really powerful. I had it as an audiobook, and it was really difficult to hear Roxane describe the trauma she faced. But she has a gorgeous voice and I was totally immersed in this book. I admire Roxane's willingness to be so open about her life. I can't really articulate my thoughts well except to say read this book. You will not regret it.
This was probably a 4.5, but I liked it so much I had to round up. My biggest disappointment with P.S. I Still Love You was that it wasn't a good ending for Lara Jean. Always and Forever, Lara Jean was a great ending to Lara Jean's story. It read a bit like vignettes rather than a really plot driven novel, but there was great character development, and really interesting exploration's of various relationships. Lara Jean was still a bit childish, but she sounded a little more mature than the previous too books. Peter K was still a swoon-worthy YA love interest. Kitty is still the best, most entertaining character in the series.
I also want to buy this series because these covers are so beautiful.
I'm so glad Jenny Han decided to write one more story, what a great ending to this fun series!
I also want to buy this series because these covers are so beautiful.
I'm so glad Jenny Han decided to write one more story, what a great ending to this fun series!
read for Popsugar 2017 challenge: a book with a red spine
Brilliant. Angie Thomas handled a very difficult topic incredibly well. Starr had such a wonderful, clear voice, and the side characters were so well fleshed out. The writing was excellent; I teared up frequently, but I also burst out laughing (especially regarding the white people at school as that was 100% like the school I went to).
I'm really looking forward to what Angie Thomas writes next.
Brilliant. Angie Thomas handled a very difficult topic incredibly well. Starr had such a wonderful, clear voice, and the side characters were so well fleshed out. The writing was excellent; I teared up frequently, but I also burst out laughing (especially regarding the white people at school as that was 100% like the school I went to).
I'm really looking forward to what Angie Thomas writes next.
read for Popsugar 2017 challenge: a book where the main character is a different ethnicity than you
Wow. Brit Bennett is an EXCELLENT writer. This is some of the best prose I've read in awhile.
Wow. Brit Bennett is an EXCELLENT writer. This is some of the best prose I've read in awhile.
read for Popsugar 2020 Reading Challenge: a book published in 2020
