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manoushp109's review
5.0
absolutely incredible - read for class and there was so much to say about the role of literacy, mythology, race/gender/sexuality, desire and suppression of it, indulgence, empire and aristocracy, surveillance etc. very impressive work and i’m shocked i haven’t read it or heard ab it until now
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Cannibalism, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
jedore's review
dark
tense
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
3.75
…the irrefragable truth is each person in his heart believes his beliefs is best. Fact is, down deep, no man’s democratic. We’re closer anarchists, I’d wager.”
This was another book I added to my TBR list more than two decades ago…no idea why. And, it’s another interesting surprise!
It’s the story of a black man that stows away on a slave ship rather than be forced to marry a woman he likes, but who puts a damper on his lust for irresponsibility.
As the story evolves, we learn that there are far worse men than him, several of whom are on the ship. The journey turns tragic and our protagonist turns philosophical.
It’s a quick, educational, insightful and quirky read. Another must for an anti-racist reading list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Death, Racism, and Trafficking
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Death of parent
ellefjones's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, and Cannibalism
Minor: Antisemitism
This book contains a lot of racial language as it is set aboard a slave ship in 1830 - the author is African American as is the main character and narrator of the story
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