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internationalreads's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Murder, Grief, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Genocide
nyssbomb's review
- 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
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Racism, Addiction, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Colonisation, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Slavery, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Bullying, Cursing, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Incest, Infertility, Child death, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Genocide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Lesbophobia, Body shaming, and Ableism
thrillofthepage's review
- 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
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by @honoree_jeffers is a generational saga that spans hundreds of years. I was intimidated by this chunk of a book, as well as the pages long family tree at the beginning. However, I’ve learned to take these books slow and steady to allow myself time to savor each page. I tackled this book in 25-30 page increments daily and recommend you do the same.
First, the writing in this novel is indescribable because it’s so many things! It’s powerful, emotional, raw, moving, compelling, and I could go on listing adjectives that would never do it justice. Jeffers weaves together centuries of history and families in such a seamless and effortless way that an 800 page book read like a short story.
Second, the characters are memorable and authentic and I find myself continuing to think of them daily. I hesitate to even call them characters because they are so real and mirror the experiences of so many. Ailey and her independent, ambitious, take no BS attitude was inspiring. I loved watching her discover herself and felt her struggles on a molecular level. Lydia was tragic and her entire arc moved me to tears multiple times. Uncle Root has my heart. This man was the common thread connecting the past and the present and the best way to describe him is as the trunk of the family tree. I loved him more than words can say and he will go down as one of my favorite characters of all time.
Lastly, the impact this story had on me was profound. I felt emotionally connected to these characters and their stories. There is a reason this book has received mountains of praise and accolades. The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois is a masterpiece, a modern classic, and everyone should read it ASAP.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Abortion, Cursing, Death of parent, Hate crime, Medical content, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Blood, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
- Ailey and her family are both specific and universal (and in many ways, that universality is deeply tragic). At times this book feels like it could be nonfiction, until you get to a particularly stunning turn of phrase (honestly, more poets should write literary fiction, it's always incredible).
- Don't let the 800 pages deter you. LOVE SONGS is completely engulfing, intense and heartfelt. Do take the content warnings seriously though, and proceed with caution if needed.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Abortion, Addiction, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Antisemitism and Homophobia