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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
"Roots" is the supposed genealogical recounting of Alex Haley's African roots to his great-great-great grandfather, Kunta Kinte, a Mandinka tribesman who was captured and sold into slavery. The story follows Kunta through his upbringing in Gambia, capture, voyage across the sea, sale, attempted escapes, mutilation at the hands of slave capturers, marriage to slave housekeeper and the birth of his daughter Kizzy. The story then follows Kizzy's sale to another owner and the birth of her son, George, and the story of his eight children, numerous grandchildren and eventually his down to his great-great children. An intriguing and detailed story, I wanted to keep reading more and more though the stories of slavery and cruelty literally make me sick to my stomach. Haley recounts this saga through the eyes of his slave ancestors as they witness the American Revolution, the American Civil War, and the Emancipation Proclamation. At the end, Haley only briefly outlines his life, but focuses on the details of his research. Other historians have claimed that Haley's "historical" research was not accurate and charges of plagarism arose after "Roots" was published. Yet, despite all this negative publicity, the story is unforgettable. If parts were embellished or a figment of Haley's imagination, well, then re-label the story "historical fiction" and be done with the controversy. The events that stricken his ancestors were tanigble possibilities for people living during the Southern plantation era. Though the writing style could have been better, the story is monumental.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Audiobook returned. A big heavy book. Some heavy content.
Wow. What a journey this book took me on, and takes all readers on. I don't really know how to describe this book, but it was an emotional journey and a harrowing one. It was a story of hope, and intergenerational trauma and learning, as well as the atrocities of slavery in an almost personal, first-hand account.
In the first thirty or so chapters, I was too hopeful. I really only wanted good things for the child I felt like I was watching grow up.
I really would recommend this book to everyone.
In the first thirty or so chapters, I was too hopeful. I really only wanted good things for the child I felt like I was watching grow up.
I really would recommend this book to everyone.
It's always interesting reading a novel that has so much cultural impact that it outweighs, in some regards, the book that started it all. Roots is certainly one of those books, especially when you consider the impact of the 1977 week-long miniseries, the plagiarism lawsuit settled out of court, the fact that Haley himself admitted his book was more "faction" than anything else, and that Haley went from being one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century to one of the most forgotten in just a few short years.
With all of this in mind, I did try to go into this with an open mind, accepting Roots for what it most likely is: a researched, though fictional account of some of Alex Haley's ancestors. And for the most part I did really enjoy this story. The first quarter of the book, when we see Kunta Kinte's early life with his family in Africa, was beautifully and interestingly written. This was by far my favorite part of the novel, but unfortunately it was this section that Alex Haley was sued for plagiarizing. I loved Kunta Kinte as a character so much, and he is, rightfully, the center of the novel, not just for me as a reader, but thematically and for the other characters of the novel as well.
Roots is a long story with many characters moving in and out, and I think Haley struggled to find his focus at times. There's a lot of meandering and a noticeable lack of characterization once the narrative moves away from Kunta, though he makes an effort with Chicken George. I can't say this was the best novel I've ever read, but it's certainly not the worst by any means. I so appreciate it's legacy, even if it wasn't the most commanding reading experience.
With all of this in mind, I did try to go into this with an open mind, accepting Roots for what it most likely is: a researched, though fictional account of some of Alex Haley's ancestors. And for the most part I did really enjoy this story. The first quarter of the book, when we see Kunta Kinte's early life with his family in Africa, was beautifully and interestingly written. This was by far my favorite part of the novel, but unfortunately it was this section that Alex Haley was sued for plagiarizing. I loved Kunta Kinte as a character so much, and he is, rightfully, the center of the novel, not just for me as a reader, but thematically and for the other characters of the novel as well.
Roots is a long story with many characters moving in and out, and I think Haley struggled to find his focus at times. There's a lot of meandering and a noticeable lack of characterization once the narrative moves away from Kunta, though he makes an effort with Chicken George. I can't say this was the best novel I've ever read, but it's certainly not the worst by any means. I so appreciate it's legacy, even if it wasn't the most commanding reading experience.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have no words sufficient enough to describe my thoughts on this book, nor do I want to white-wash it's significance with another woke white girl response. Instead, I only wish to encourage you to read this book, or listen to it like I did, and remind you of a quote from Fran Lebowitz: "Think before you speak. Read before you think." There's a reason this book won a Pulitzer.
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Come hang out with me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Blog | Email
I listened to the audiobook for the last 200 pages and during the last 40 minutes of the audiobook, I just sat there crying.
It’s interesting that this book is published as fiction, yet the introduction and final chapters talk about the research and factual part of the novels. I know that the historical accuracy has been questioned, so I will look at it purely as a fictional piece.
As a book, I found that the main protagonist was the most compelling and fascinating. Roots follows across six generations though, and I missed Kunta Kinte as we moved along. He was a strong presence, and dominates the novel. I think Haley knew this, as after Kunta Kinte’s narration is passed on, he rushes through the other generations and life events. A fascinating novel either way though, and I’m keen to know more about the historical events too.
As a book, I found that the main protagonist was the most compelling and fascinating. Roots follows across six generations though, and I missed Kunta Kinte as we moved along. He was a strong presence, and dominates the novel. I think Haley knew this, as after Kunta Kinte’s narration is passed on, he rushes through the other generations and life events. A fascinating novel either way though, and I’m keen to know more about the historical events too.
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence