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wren_rainbow's Reviews (451)
Impactful book that did a lot with a few pages but could have done more. It was interesting to see how the characters lives intertwined but so much wasn’t explained. Enjoyed seeing the connections made in the end. Want nothing but the best for all of the characters, grew attach in such a short time.
3.5- I enjoyed reading this book, it was entertaining. Not realistic when you break it down but that’s kind of what made it enjoyable. The main characters could have been flushed out a bit more, felt like I didn’t really know them to become attached but the plot was fine.
Victor Lavelle’s use of mythology and fantasy to describe the horrors of racism was well done. It was similar to Lovecraft Country where the horror is not only the mythical force the characters discuss and the imagery we come across but also the horror the Jim Crow/ Post Jim Crow era on black Americans and their internal battle.
3.5 First book I’ve read by Toni Morrison. It was a bit disjointed which reflects on the lives of the characters. This books shows the impact of systemic racism and the American era on each of the characters. The internalized racism and self loathing, and the defenses that comes from it; projection and displacement. You see this is a certain scene that was unexpected and I understood not excusing the behavior but understood where it came from. It was a heavy read and took me some time to get into the flow but it was good.
2.5. Enjoyed learning about the history of the library system and the inner workings of how it functions. However, this book was longer than it needed it to be. I struggled to get through it and found myself skimming though sections just to finish. Was looking forward to this book but it fell flat.
I find it challenging to review a nonfiction. How do you review and rate someone’s life story? Cudjo’s story is one of survival and incredible strength and resiliency which given the circumstances... What takes the story apart from other slave narratives that I’ve read is that we see his life, his story beginning in Africa, his home country. We see as he tries to preserve culture and religion while living in America after being freed. After reading I needed to sit with it for a while, he could be my grandfather.
Rating is between 3.5-4 stars perhaps 3.75 but will round up. The father/daughter relationship was heartwarming and beautiful. Seeing their relationship change through time and maintaining their connection. This book pulled on my heartstrings. Recommend.
4.5. Had to push myself to read this and stopped a few times to reflect. I appreciate the author creating a character with FLAWS. Queenie is a hot mess, isn’t perfect by any means, annoyingly frustrating but R.E.AL!!! I found my self as an educated Black woman represented through the pages and it hurt, angered me, annoyed me. I’ve been there. Some of my issues with the book itself have to deal with the Black Lives Matter and how it appeared Queenie supported it out of obligation but appreciated the show of micro aggression experienced in the work place. Some aspects could have been written better but all in all at the end of the story my thought was well damn, I feel vulnerable after reading this.