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lilamaee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m not sure I enjoyed this book or if I even understood this book but it was beautifully written. I think this is the type of book I will find myself thinking about months from now, still not quite sure how to fit the different puzzle pieces together
thechanelmuse's review against another edition
5.0
This book left me speechless. It’s an absorbing, haunting, heartbreaking novel that’s written so poetically. So masterful. And this is a debut novel?!?! Chile, I’m shook.
sydneyyylove's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a beautiful piece of art. The writing is poetic and dances between memory and narrative descriptions. I felt very close to some characters and distant from others. The love between Samuel and Isiah took my breath away while reading this book, and makes some of the gruesome and heartbreaking plot points that much more potent.
thealig's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
brookebuonauro's review against another edition
3.0
This book was beautifully written and had an interesting premise, but I found it difficult to get through. The storytelling structure was confusing, and my insufficient knowledge of biblical texts put me at a disadvantage for enjoying or even fully understanding most of the story.
eypsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
“Ignorance wasn’t bliss, but degradation could be better endured if you pretended you were worthy of it” especially because “Lies are more affectionate than truths”.
I am sceptical of any book or author that gets compared to Toni Morrison let alone a debut but, this novel has come the closest to matching the mood and voice of Morrison’s Beloved. I honestly felt as if I had been transported back to Sweet Home.
The novel follows two enslaved young men Isaiah and Samuel who find love in the arms of the other. It is vivid, in parts grotesque, enthralling, heart wrenching, breath-taking. It unfolds before you, drawing you into a pit of despair whilst allowing little glimmers of hope to seep through that compel you to keep reading despite the of dread of knowing what comes when reading books set during this time.
This is a captivating novel about love in a setting that continually strips away humanity and I expect this will be one of the most important books of 2021.
TW: Racism, Racist Slurs, Sexual Abuse, Physical and Verbal Abuse, Homophobia
I am sceptical of any book or author that gets compared to Toni Morrison let alone a debut but, this novel has come the closest to matching the mood and voice of Morrison’s Beloved. I honestly felt as if I had been transported back to Sweet Home.
The novel follows two enslaved young men Isaiah and Samuel who find love in the arms of the other. It is vivid, in parts grotesque, enthralling, heart wrenching, breath-taking. It unfolds before you, drawing you into a pit of despair whilst allowing little glimmers of hope to seep through that compel you to keep reading despite the of dread of knowing what comes when reading books set during this time.
This is a captivating novel about love in a setting that continually strips away humanity and I expect this will be one of the most important books of 2021.
TW: Racism, Racist Slurs, Sexual Abuse, Physical and Verbal Abuse, Homophobia
nickiitay's review against another edition
5.0
There are a handful of books that I can distinctly remember where I was and what I was doing when I finished them due to the profound nature they ended up having on me as a reader. This list includes: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, and now joining this list will be The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
I told myself this year for black history month I should make myself uncomfortable and learn some hard truths about black history. One of the black bookstagrammers I follow, Jay (@litmedown) has been advocating for this novel for YEARS, so I finally decided it was time to sit down and read it.
All I can say is damn, I need to be uncomfy more often. This was an educational, emotional, realistic, and un-romaniztied depiction of slavery. Some of the things I read shocked me, which just goes to show how much more I need to educate myself on the topic.
Infusing traditional African religion with the Deep South Christian ideology was an amazing backdrop for the love story between two resilient slaves, Samuel and Isiah. These contradicting practices result in rifts within the only community Samuel and Isiah have, leading them to decisions that alter the face of their lives and the plantation.
I highly recommend this book, to my fellow white folks especially.
I told myself this year for black history month I should make myself uncomfortable and learn some hard truths about black history. One of the black bookstagrammers I follow, Jay (@litmedown) has been advocating for this novel for YEARS, so I finally decided it was time to sit down and read it.
All I can say is damn, I need to be uncomfy more often. This was an educational, emotional, realistic, and un-romaniztied depiction of slavery. Some of the things I read shocked me, which just goes to show how much more I need to educate myself on the topic.
Infusing traditional African religion with the Deep South Christian ideology was an amazing backdrop for the love story between two resilient slaves, Samuel and Isiah. These contradicting practices result in rifts within the only community Samuel and Isiah have, leading them to decisions that alter the face of their lives and the plantation.
I highly recommend this book, to my fellow white folks especially.
janelbriana's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
devoe1se's review against another edition
4.0
This was a heavy read, but VERY good. Would give 4.5 stars if I could, the bouncing narrative was a little hard for me to follow at times, but could also be my ADHD. Definitely a must read if you’re looking to continue an anti-racism education.