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bread_mountain's review against another edition
5.0
This was great. Descriptions of this book tend to undersell how fun and funny it is despite its grim subject.
But as a Smash Bros. and F-Zero fan, it’s kind of amusing that the villain’s name is Captain Falcon. This Captain Falcon kicks. He doesn’t punch. Yeah, Ebenezer Falcon is one of my favorite characters I’ve read recently. Sort of an imperialistic Sunday from The Man Who was Thursday.
But as a Smash Bros. and F-Zero fan, it’s kind of amusing that the villain’s name is Captain Falcon. This Captain Falcon kicks. He doesn’t punch. Yeah, Ebenezer Falcon is one of my favorite characters I’ve read recently. Sort of an imperialistic Sunday from The Man Who was Thursday.
jedore's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
…the irrefragable truth is each person in his heart believes his beliefs is best. Fact is, down deep, no man’s democratic. We’re closer anarchists, I’d wager.”
This was another book I added to my TBR list more than two decades ago…no idea why. And, it’s another interesting surprise!
It’s the story of a black man that stows away on a slave ship rather than be forced to marry a woman he likes, but who puts a damper on his lust for irresponsibility.
As the story evolves, we learn that there are far worse men than him, several of whom are on the ship. The journey turns tragic and our protagonist turns philosophical.
It’s a quick, educational, insightful and quirky read. Another must for an anti-racist reading list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Death, Racism, and Trafficking
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Death of parent
gabrielleh8934's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sorayasklya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
anti_formalist12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zezee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
tlm1964's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
catebutler's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
52 Short Books Buddy Read 2023
From the book: A Year of Reading - Briefly Great Short Books by Kenneth C. Davis
From the book: A Year of Reading - Briefly Great Short Books by Kenneth C. Davis
ellefjones's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, and Cannibalism
Minor: Antisemitism
This book contains a lot of racial language as it is set aboard a slave ship in 1830 - the author is African American as is the main character and narrator of the storycub_jones's review against another edition
4.0
A bit uneven as narrative sometimes, but overall its a really nice and exciting combination of pulpy sea adventure, bawdiness, non-pulpy Mellville Benito Cereno-style sea adventure, searching philosophy and a scathing racial and class-based political awareness.
In these difficult times it was good to read something that was finally optimistic about people's ability to change and have class solidarity across racial bounds. We can do it too.
SPOILER (mild):
Oh yeah, and there's even a bit of African mythology-influenced Lovecraftian cosmic horror (and non-horror? Philosophy?) that gets explored.
In these difficult times it was good to read something that was finally optimistic about people's ability to change and have class solidarity across racial bounds. We can do it too.
SPOILER (mild):
Oh yeah, and there's even a bit of African mythology-influenced Lovecraftian cosmic horror (and non-horror? Philosophy?) that gets explored.