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katy_bee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am still working out how I feel about this book. It was definitely interesting, it was definitely dark in its content. The main character was interesting- not necessarily hugely likeable at first but he changed over the course of the story. It made me think.
I was interested to hear the story of an emancipated slave and his experiences of living in America in the early part of the book. The historical details of the voyage were also interesting.
I was trying to pick apart how much of the supernatural part of the story was a factor of the nutrition deficiency and general trauma.
The ending felt a little contrived but I wanted to see it through and I didn't dislike it.
I think I need to mull on it a bit more
I was interested to hear the story of an emancipated slave and his experiences of living in America in the early part of the book. The historical details of the voyage were also interesting.
I was trying to pick apart how much of the supernatural part of the story was a factor of the nutrition deficiency and general trauma.
The ending felt a little contrived but I wanted to see it through and I didn't dislike it.
I think I need to mull on it a bit more
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Racism, Trafficking, Confinement, Death, and Slavery
Moderate: Rape, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
jedore's review against another edition
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 storyseullywillikers's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is intense, but also funny. It brings up far too many thoughts, points-of-view, and perspectives to outline here, of race, racism, classism, humanity, and the bondage of the mind under relentless capitalism. Also, the main character meets a God. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Colonisation, Violence, Death, Classism, Slavery, Child death, Racism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
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