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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
This beautiful graphic novel recounts the story of a school that started taking Black girls as students in the Northern USA, thirty years before slavery was abolished.
The illustration style is beautiful and plays with light and nature in wonderful way, the sun and trees are especially gorgeous. The colour palette used is restrained but all the more gorgeous for it.
The narrative itself is interesting, though limited by being based on a true story. I appreciated that each student we followed had a distinct sense of character, and that the school teacher wasn’t presented as an all knowing White saviour.
The historical information included at the end was helpful in filling out details after reading the graphic novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content warnings for racism, mob violence, murder and threats of sexual assault.
The illustration style is beautiful and plays with light and nature in wonderful way, the sun and trees are especially gorgeous. The colour palette used is restrained but all the more gorgeous for it.
The narrative itself is interesting, though limited by being based on a true story. I appreciated that each student we followed had a distinct sense of character, and that the school teacher wasn’t presented as an all knowing White saviour.
The historical information included at the end was helpful in filling out details after reading the graphic novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content warnings for racism, mob violence, murder and threats of sexual assault.
sad
tense
fast-paced
I would have given this book 4 starts, even 4.5 in my head, if I hadn’t noticed it’s written by two white men….. how can you write a story about black women fighting for their rights in which they even talk badly, and rightfully so, about men and their violence without even having neither a woman nor a black person involved in the creation of the book? it’s a pity because the book really good, but this thing annoys me so much it ruined it a bit for me
A beautifully rendered rendition of a somewhat forgotten episode in American history.
It's 1832 in the Connecticut town of Canterbury, and the boarding school mistress Prudence Crandall lets a Black girl into her class. The white parents rebel, and rather than close the school, Prudence decides to focus exclusively on Black girls. Needless to say, this doesn't mollify the racists in the town.
This book serves as a welcome reminder that in the supposedly free antebellum north, Blacks were pariahs, even if they weren't actually enslaved. Stéphane Fert's art is lovely, with the painterly backgrounds reminiscent of some of the best modern children's books. Wilfrid Lupano's story, though well paced, is a bit too simplistic, with the racist townsfolk literally snarling villains, but in fairness it's hard to render the virulence of 19th century American racism as anything but the horribly evil thing that it was.
It's a valiant effort, though it's probably better suited to young adults than me.
It's 1832 in the Connecticut town of Canterbury, and the boarding school mistress Prudence Crandall lets a Black girl into her class. The white parents rebel, and rather than close the school, Prudence decides to focus exclusively on Black girls. Needless to say, this doesn't mollify the racists in the town.
This book serves as a welcome reminder that in the supposedly free antebellum north, Blacks were pariahs, even if they weren't actually enslaved. Stéphane Fert's art is lovely, with the painterly backgrounds reminiscent of some of the best modern children's books. Wilfrid Lupano's story, though well paced, is a bit too simplistic, with the racist townsfolk literally snarling villains, but in fairness it's hard to render the virulence of 19th century American racism as anything but the horribly evil thing that it was.
It's a valiant effort, though it's probably better suited to young adults than me.
Pas totalement convaincue par cette BD, les thèmes sont essentiels, certains passages sont durs mais nécessaires. Cependant on reste trop en surface, j’avais toujours cette question « et ensuite ? ». Je n’ai pas compris l’introduction de certains éléments trop peu développé : sauvage, la « sorcière », la religion d’Eliza. Je n’ai pas été transporté par les personnages et je n’ai pas trop accroché au dessin non plus
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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:
No
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
reflective
fast-paced