You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
n1kk1_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The book was slow to start, but about 2/3 of the way through I had to finish listening to it. The author eloquently describes the trauma enslaved experience and the strength of love and bonds they have with their friends and family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
nia_readsalot's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Sexual content, and Slavery
Moderate: Death and Sexual assault
eddalyd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, and War
_inge_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
This is a sweeping story which centers around Zarité, or Tété, who is held as a slave by Valmorain. Their paths cross when Valmorain buys Tété to have her be a servent to his wife. The story takes place over many decades, in Haiti before it became independent, throughout the revolution of the black population and then in New Orleans while it is under French, then Spanish, then US rule.
There are so many interesting characters whose lives intermingle in various ways, many hardships, many children who get shuffled around to be taken care of by two, one or none of their biological parents. The characters are rich and morally gray, even if they play a minor role. Their lives are being shaped by the historical events taking place. I was looking up a lot of information, for example more information on the Haitian vodou deities and spirits and the current maps of the locations.
This book left me wanting more, for example a follow up story about Justin. Will he play a role in the abolistionist movement / civil war in the US, inspired by his ancestry?
There are so many interesting characters whose lives intermingle in various ways, many hardships, many children who get shuffled around to be taken care of by two, one or none of their biological parents. The characters are rich and morally gray, even if they play a minor role. Their lives are being shaped by the historical events taking place. I was looking up a lot of information, for example more information on the Haitian vodou deities and spirits and the current maps of the locations.
This book left me wanting more, for example a follow up story about Justin. Will he play a role in the abolistionist movement / civil war in the US, inspired by his ancestry?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Slavery
themoonphoenix's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and War
sofipitch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I really enjoyed this book till the end half. In some parts it can be unclear what Allende's position on things are. She dedicates so much time to Valmorian I thought she was going to have Tete forgive him (she didn't) and she includes the half-siblings getting married which I can see as a symbolic consequence of Valmorian never claiming Rosette but she doesn't seem to outright condemn them. Like in some parts she's heavy handed on how racism and slavery are bad and some parts it's not so it made me feel worried.
Another criticism is that while Tete is the main character, it doesn't really feel like it. I've read some of Allende's novels so I know she never focuses on the perspective of one character but like I said, giving so much time to the slave owner is exhausting because I only care about what goes on in his life as it affects Tete.
I also wouldn't file this book under magical realism. Just because Allende is known for that genre it doesn't mean all her books are. This is historical fiction.
Another criticism is that while Tete is the main character, it doesn't really feel like it. I've read some of Allende's novels so I know she never focuses on the perspective of one character but like I said, giving so much time to the slave owner is exhausting because I only care about what goes on in his life as it affects Tete.
I also wouldn't file this book under magical realism. Just because Allende is known for that genre it doesn't mean all her books are. This is historical fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Racism, Rape, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infertility and Abortion