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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
4.5. A really engaging read that filled in for me the details of the early days of the slavery timeline.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5* Wonderful story. Heartbreaking, but beautifully told.
I felt the significance of the title as soon as Aminata was kidnapped. Nowadays we take advantage of so many things, including our freedom of speech, that it's hard to imagine living in a world where, in an instant, you could be lost, and nothing remains of you. All Aminata had was her name, and her story. I thought this was a great novel, where tragedy after tragedy struck, but even though it is a fictional story, it is based off of real events, real history. It kept me interested from beginning to end.
challenging
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I listened to the audiobook and it took me a long time
To get through as the subject matter was very details and though I knew it would be shocking it was more dark and graphic then I expected.
Truly awful what people put other human beings through.
To get through as the subject matter was very details and though I knew it would be shocking it was more dark and graphic then I expected.
Truly awful what people put other human beings through.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
I devoured this excellent and well-researched historical fiction book in 2 days it was so compelling. In the vein of Alex Haley's classic Roots and Colton Whitehead's award-winning Underground Railroad, this large novel tells the shameful history of the slave trade and the tragic repercussions across generations in the lives of black Americans. The main character was fascinating and inspirational. Her story of survival is astounding and the events of history unbelievable, but shockingly true. Please read this book to understand the trauma our country was built upon and to guide your anti-racist actions in the future. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a powerful book - the story of Aminata's life and travels after she is kidnapped and sold into slavery from Africa - I could not put it down.
And it's historically accurate too - what more could an inquiring mind want?
And it's historically accurate too - what more could an inquiring mind want?
So much potential. There are so many opportunities to tell a great story, but ultimately I believe the book suffers from over-ambition. As a result, the book lacks tension, and while we know of the protagonist's anguish, we never really feel it. Additionally, the protagonist happens upon opportunities that make her story significantly different than most slaves' stories. The "good" things that happen to her make for a less believable story as they seem far too convenient or contrived. In fact, the last "good" thing to happen to the protagonist caused me practically to throw the book across the room. (I'm reading on my iPad, so that's ill-advised or I would have, really.) Perhaps the author's choosing to name the protagonist after his eldest daughter disabled him from being able to create a character with whom the readers could feel suffering.
There is great potential for themes on which the author also did not capitalize, e.g. the idea of "home," or even the theme suggested by the book's title. Unfortunately, I didn't find these themes to be fully fleshed at all.
I did learn some things about the slave trade and history of slavery about which I was unaware, which I appreciated.
There is great potential for themes on which the author also did not capitalize, e.g. the idea of "home," or even the theme suggested by the book's title. Unfortunately, I didn't find these themes to be fully fleshed at all.
I did learn some things about the slave trade and history of slavery about which I was unaware, which I appreciated.
What a great book! And I was needing a good read after a long dry spell. Historical fiction, beautiful language, engaging characters - everything I needed. Thanks Andrea for the heads up.