beklovesbooks's review against another edition

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4.75

Excellent book from the perspective of 3 boys growing up at Monticello. Historically fairly accurate. Compelling. Deals with reality of slavery, race, and difficulty for those in the 1800s of mixed racial descent. Taught me a lot about Jefferson.

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greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense 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? Yes

3.0


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atamano's review against another edition

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emotional informative 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

3.0


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sarahasyouwish's review

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challenging hopeful reflective sad slow-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book presents a more accurate historical picture of Thomas Jefferson in regards to his actual position on slavery than anything I learned while in school. We follow the perspective of several of the sons he had with Sally Hemings who was Jefferson’s slave and the mother to many of his children. Brown paints a realistic picture of what it might have been like to live the unsettling balance of living on the grounds of a man who was both your father and slave master. She doesn’t portray Jefferson as a hero or villain but does show his hypocrisy and faults though he isn’t the focus of the story. I thought this was well done and an informative and interesting book that handles a heartbreaking subject very well. 

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