Reviews with content warning for Slavery - Island Beneath the Sea

Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende

13 reviews

jedore's review against another edition

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dark informative 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

4.0

“There is no worse suffering than to love with fear."

This is a sweeping story of resilience, love, and survival set against the backdrop of 18th-century Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) and New Orleans. It follows Zarité, a young woman born into slavery, who endures unimaginable suffering yet never loses her fierce spirit. Her life is deeply entangled with her owner, Toulouse Valmorain, a French plantation owner who is both dependent on and oppressive toward her. Through Zarité’s eyes, we experience the horrors of slavery, the Haitian Revolution, and her enduring quest for freedom and dignity.

In addition to being one of the most celebrated authors in contemporary literature, Allende is also the niece of Salvador Allende, the former president of Chile who was ousted in a military coup in 1973. This event deeply shaped her life and her writing, accounting for her recurring themes of resilience, displacement, and the struggle for justice that are woven into her novels.

Isabel Allende is hands down one of my favorite authors. She consistently delivers novels that are impeccably researched, beautifully written, and rich with complex characters. Her ability to transport readers to another time and place while delving into the deepest aspects of human nature is nothing short of amazing.

This was a heart-wrenching read, particularly because of the relationship between Zarité and Valmorain. He is a pathetic excuse for a man—weak, entitled, and totally unscrupulous. While he depended on Zarité to keep him afloat, he viewed her as mere property, incapable of seeing her humanity. His broken promises and cruel secrets made him despicable, yet tragically reflective of the era’s harsh realities.

Despite the heavy subject matter, Allende never leaves her readers without hope. Through Zarité, she paints a portrait of unwavering strength and resilience, showing how even in the darkest of circumstances, the human spirit can endure and find light.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this book deserves a spot on your reading list. You'll learn so much about Haiti, New Orleans, and slavery. It's not an easy read, but it will teach you a lot while touching you emotionally.

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phoenixsparks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative 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? It's complicated

3.25

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nia_readsalot's review

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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

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dhernandez's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

eddalyd's review against another edition

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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

_inge_'s review against another edition

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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?

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