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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This book read like an introduction to a family saga, it literally put me to sleep at various times.
I was, and still am, very interested in this period of North American history, this gave me a bit of an idea about those times.
But apart from showing the reader a bit about the makings of the Colonies' Revolution against the British Empire I don't feel as anything really exciting happend to the characters.
I was, and still am, very interested in this period of North American history, this gave me a bit of an idea about those times.
But apart from showing the reader a bit about the makings of the Colonies' Revolution against the British Empire I don't feel as anything really exciting happend to the characters.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm not sure if anyone reads these books anymore. I hope not. They may seem like rousing historic adventures, but they are deeply misogynistic. In every single book, there is at least one gratuitous rape scene described in pornographic detail for at least a page. It is obvious by the prurient tone, and level of detail, that the purpose of these rape scenes is to sell books. Or maybe to make sales while expressing a hatred of women. In one of the books, a slave rapes a southern belle in a scene that manages to wallow in racist stereotypes along with the usual sexism. If you think the series hits rock bottom there, it gets even worse in "The Furies" when a ten year old girl gets raped with excruciating detail. I'd give a lot to go back in time and stop myself from reading these books back when I was a kid who didn't know better. My review and content ratings here are for the entire series; this first book "The Bastard," as bad as it is, is actually the least offensive in the series. It gets worse with each book. At best, author John Jakes is pandering to the worst in human nature to sell books. At worst, he's a pedophile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment, War
Moderate: Sexism
There is a detailed rape scene in every book of the Kent Family series. (Only in the first book "The Bastard" are you spared and only because the rape get cut short due to the rapist murdering the woman character. .) How did this s--- ever get published?
adventurous
challenging
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:
Yes
I really enjoyed these books in high school, but sadly, I think I've outgrown them.
I read this book many years ago and it is as good as I remember. Great book for a history buff!
This was a fantastic start to this epic series, I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading this. The way John Jakes interweaves history with unforgettable characters never disappoints. I really enjoyed the scenes with Benjamin Franklin in particular. However, I hated the series of choices Philip makes towards the end of this book so that’s why it only got 4 stars. Can’t wait to continue in this series though! Yay!
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I read this book in my 20's and loved it. Fifty years later I have read it again and find the writing dull and immature. The writer feels he has to explain details as though the reader cannot comprehend. Ugh! Terrible unlikeable characters, none of which the reader really gets to know as they are merely written about on the surface.
This was a fabulous book. As a matter of fact, it was the first book I ever read by choice and actually finished. If I remember correctly, I finished in just a matter of days and went on to read all of the others. Not bad for a bored, non-reader, teenage and some time to kill.
I have recently bought "The Bastard" again. I plan to read it again.
I have recently bought "The Bastard" again. I plan to read it again.