zoya_neela's review against another edition
4.0
This is a history that needs to be taught to everyone. Let's bring out the stories of these women that fought and often died while revolting against those that would attempt to enslave them.
fionak's review against another edition
2.0
The artwork is terrible and it ruined the narrative for me. I skim read and tried to ignore the drawing but it makes my head hurt, like a bunch of half-assed sketches nobody cared enough to finish.
valodniece's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
4.0
This was an engrossing audioplay, excellent narration and horrific historical imagery, it is very needed for this world... but I think it needs a different subtitle.
The story was more about the "wake" (as in, legacy) of slavery and slave revolts, and only peripherally about the actual history of slave revolts, let alone women-led ones. The bulk of the story focused on the author and her challenges in educating others on those histories, because they were considered too controversial and divisive by white administrators. I'd been hoping to learn about the history, since I already know that Black people in America struggle with getting their histories and stories known. I know it is said in the story that the information was fragmentary and sometimes had to be enhanced (I think she called it historical imagination?), and that's totally fine and needed where the written record doesn't exist, but if there was enough information and historical imagination for a doctoral thesis, surely there was enough to include in a graphic novel/audio play that barely even qualifies as novella-length.
The story was more about the "wake" (as in, legacy) of slavery and slave revolts, and only peripherally about the actual history of slave revolts, let alone women-led ones. The bulk of the story focused on the author and her challenges in educating others on those histories, because they were considered too controversial and divisive by white administrators. I'd been hoping to learn about the history, since I already know that Black people in America struggle with getting their histories and stories known. I know it is said in the story that the information was fragmentary and sometimes had to be enhanced (I think she called it historical imagination?), and that's totally fine and needed where the written record doesn't exist, but if there was enough information and historical imagination for a doctoral thesis, surely there was enough to include in a graphic novel/audio play that barely even qualifies as novella-length.
rissasreading's review against another edition
5.0
This book is short, but so so powerful. The use of graphics to accompany the story made for an emotional read.
This wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I was expecting to read about a lot of different examples of women-led slave revolts. However, we get the truth of how difficult it is to not only find that history but to process it.
This book almost brought me to tears quite a few times because of the beautiful images by Hugo paired with Rebecca's story.
Highly recommend this read.
This wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I was expecting to read about a lot of different examples of women-led slave revolts. However, we get the truth of how difficult it is to not only find that history but to process it.
This book almost brought me to tears quite a few times because of the beautiful images by Hugo paired with Rebecca's story.
Highly recommend this read.
rerudis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
reads_romance_reviewer's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciate Dr. Hall's focus on this part of history with very few primary resources. I am glad she decided to present her research via a graphic novel. Her passion to learn and teach others these stories comes through and hopefully will lead other researchers to explore how female slaves fought for their freedom. We need to hear their stories.
I gave the novel three stars because there is not a lot of primary resources on women-led slave revolts so it is more about her quest for information.
I gave the novel three stars because there is not a lot of primary resources on women-led slave revolts so it is more about her quest for information.
justgraceanne's review against another edition
5.0
"History written by the victors always erases resistance."
Part memoir, part group biography, Wake hooked me from the beginning -- it's written from the perspective of Rebecca as she works on her PhD, searching for the stories of the erased and the voices of the silenced.
Some reviews have said that this book belongs in school libraries, and while I agree, that's really optimistic. I would absolutely love to see it required in high school or college classes, though -- And I hope homeschooling educators will use this book as well.
Part memoir, part group biography, Wake hooked me from the beginning -- it's written from the perspective of Rebecca as she works on her PhD, searching for the stories of the erased and the voices of the silenced.
Some reviews have said that this book belongs in school libraries, and while I agree, that's really optimistic. I would absolutely love to see it required in high school or college classes, though -- And I hope homeschooling educators will use this book as well.
juliette_d_03's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Racism
cmazzei's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0