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rradujko's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This one didn't hit it for me. I think James was ambitious in his execution of this concept, and while he may have even pulled it off, it wasn't my particular cup of tea. While the uniqueness of his narrative voice and dreamlike-yet-cutting writing style is without question, the repetitiveness and slow, slow build made it a difficult read. The first third was interesting enough to keep reading, the second was a slog towards the hopefully-more-interesting third, and the third felt like an unfortunate repeat of the second. The amount of confusion that I experienced trying to keep up with the MC's choppy narration was significant, and while James touches on important and difficult themes, I actually think that his particular writing style does them injustice, as what the MC ignores or fails to expound on the reader is also barred from knowing. I almost didn't finish it, but I don't know if seeing it through was any better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, and Abandonment
rubyrush's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
5.0
scottcanread's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sarahwiltshire's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really wanted to like and appreciate this book, but struggled - will come back to it.
tcpekin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tangled's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
viatheinternet's review against another edition
5.0
https://www.tumblr.com/expensivedaisy/730184828617736192/black-leopard-red-wolf-by-marlon-james?source=share
eyelit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
heiroffire1989's review against another edition
DNF at page 147 - Chapter 7
—
I mean, There are enough reviews on this book circulating Goodreads, that I completely 100% understand, the 1/2 stars and the DNF reviews. Sooo much things to point out, too much. But even the more simple things, were in the end the last nail to the coffin…
I came across a review online somewhere saying:
I relate to it. Despite the bits and pieces that I was curious about from time to time and sometimes even excited for, the writing just constantly over-shadowed the good in this book. And then there’s a lot left that I didn’t like and/or could not get to terms with. It felt like there was no structure throughout it all, and it went from this to that within seconds, while randomly throwing in world-related and mythical stuff which had my head spinning because it was just too much to get a good visual on.
I was really hoping beforehand, that this would be a fantastic, special and unique (unique it is tho!) read in a African like setting with myhyes and folklore and fantasy < it sounded so good!, and that I would be able to enjoy it in the best way possible because I like unique reads… I gave it time and I really tried, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. I just couldn’t get to terms with this writing style. I just can’t ‘see’ it being something special and unique in a good way.
I’m heartbroken I came to a point that I now actually DNF’ed it since it was an annotating project with a book buddy of mine and I really wanted to finish this book for her before returning it. It feels like failing :(
—
I mean, There are enough reviews on this book circulating Goodreads, that I completely 100% understand, the 1/2 stars and the DNF reviews. Sooo much things to point out, too much. But even the more simple things, were in the end the last nail to the coffin…
I came across a review online somewhere saying:
“The last straw for me was the realization that the author would never allow his characters to talk in a normal way, without riddles, statements and stories about killing and rapes of children, woman and men. What’s left to relate then? How to connect to a story that doesn’t give you ANYTHING to tether you to it? I CAN’T do it.”
I relate to it. Despite the bits and pieces that I was curious about from time to time and sometimes even excited for, the writing just constantly over-shadowed the good in this book. And then there’s a lot left that I didn’t like and/or could not get to terms with. It felt like there was no structure throughout it all, and it went from this to that within seconds, while randomly throwing in world-related and mythical stuff which had my head spinning because it was just too much to get a good visual on.
I was really hoping beforehand, that this would be a fantastic, special and unique (unique it is tho!) read in a African like setting with myhyes and folklore and fantasy < it sounded so good!, and that I would be able to enjoy it in the best way possible because I like unique reads… I gave it time and I really tried, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. I just couldn’t get to terms with this writing style. I just can’t ‘see’ it being something special and unique in a good way.
I’m heartbroken I came to a point that I now actually DNF’ed it since it was an annotating project with a book buddy of mine and I really wanted to finish this book for her before returning it. It feels like failing :(