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awebofstories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Oh boy, I'm still recovering from this one. If you know the basics of this book--six women enslaved by an unsuccessful farmer in Texas in the 1850s and their own wants to "breed" them--you know it will be heavy. And it was. And it was worth it.
Peyton's prose is hypnotic and will entice you into the story. She uses both the 2nd and 3rd person point of view, which may sound problematic but is very effective here. This technique allows the reader to see the women's individual experiences clearly while also building compassion between the women and the reader.
The world of this novel is appropriately dry and stark. However, we also see how that world changes as time passes. One thing I really appreciated about this book is that this isn't a story of people enslaved on the palatial plantation of the myth we are constantly fed. No, these women are enslaved on a hardscrabble farm run by an inept and amoral couple. Those who know the accurate history of this era know that this depiction is closer to the truth than the Tara-like plantations we see in movies.
I was devastated by this story, and I know it will stay with me for quite some time. The ending made me ache, and I simultaneously hated it and knew it was inevitable. I only have two quibbles about this book. There were times when some of the smaller details were not clear. While this didn't impact my enjoyment of the story, it took me out of it occasionally. I also felt that maybe six women were one or two too many women. We get to know about 4 of the women very well, and the others are sort of just there.
Other than that, this was an excellent book. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, needs something for their book club, or thinks Gone with the Wind is a realistic depiction of the Antebellum South.
Graphic: Slavery, Physical abuse, and Rape
honeyvoiced's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
Graphic: Slavery, Rape, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Torture, and Racism
bookmaddie's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
The narrative slowly moves to focus a bit more on two of the women, Junie and Serah. While I think the focus on the group helps highlight larger themes of this novel, the tightened focus really helps the story become more evocative and immediate. I also really enjoyed learning more about Junie and Serah—it helped me understand their motivations as the story ramps up to its violent crescendo.
This is a really strong debut, and I'll definitely be interested in what Peyton writes next!
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
srivalli's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Slavery, and Rape
jen_thetelltalebookclub's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Grief, Emotional abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Slavery, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Racial slurs, Death, Torture, and Racism
mrscorytee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Rape, and Slavery
magis1105's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It does touch very touchy subjects such as slavery, racism, and psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. It is not in over the top or too detailed but it is still a central part of the plot.
The characters are realistic and it does seem like they are given depth. Not all slaves are a brotherhood-sisterhood, there are all types o relationships, good and bad, and some don't care anything about one another. It depicts a very bleak life.
Not my favorite topic but still one that can't hurt to know more about.
The synopsis of this book gives you only a small portion of what this book entails. It delves much deeper and darker theme. It does explore the way people are treated, the way they try to cope and survive the turbulences they experience by the mere fact of being born into that society.
I find it very interesting the way it links the different beliefs, each person has their own views about gods, demons, about their own spirituality. Some even have their deviations after being Christianized and adopting those values they continue to do their rituals and cling to their culture the only way they can, in secret or under the cover of the night.
I don't know how to feel about this one, I might need to revise this after I have more time to dwell on it.
Graphic: Racism, Ableism, Slavery, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Rape and Abortion