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tiamia1084's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Sexism, War, Alcohol, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Gore, Cursing, and Sexual content
thedadsie's review
I know the book won some awards but I just can't get into the style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
boygirlparty's review
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m ashamed to say i didn’t know much about abolitionist John Brown or the insurrection at Harper’s Ferry, but this book was just about the most clever & entertaining possible way to tell it. There are about a hundred genuine laugh-out-loud moments in this book, surprising for a book about such a serious subject. I’ll miss adventuring with little Onion. Faith is its own character in this book as well. Clever and compelling.
TW for lots of racial slurs
TW for lots of racial slurs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, War, and Slavery
yyes's review
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Racism, and Slavery
cdreibelbis's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Racism, and Racial slurs
guinness74's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An outstanding work of historical fiction that tells the tale of Old John Brown. McBride has conjured an eyewitness to the Harpers Ferry saga and follows them from Kansas to Virginia, fateful bloody step by fateful bloody step. The novel is littered with historical characters who mesh evenly with the ones who might have existed, but the world has no record of. And even though you know the outcome (at least, one hopes you learned it), it is an exciting read, particularly so during the final chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Slavery, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual content
shannynbarnett17's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and James McBride has become one of my new favorite authors. This is the second book I have read by him, with the first being Deacon King Kong. This book is slow-paced throughout the first 3/4 of the novel, but it REALLY picks up towards the end. The action-packed ending makes the book in my opinion. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in the American Civil War era. It gives an insightful look into the minds and thoughts of slaves, both still in bondage and free, throughout the country.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Death of parent
raechel's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A fantastic book that somehow manages to cover historical fiction, satire, humor, and still be so layered when showing how complicated people are in regards to where they are and what they should have. How fear and comfort can make someone resist acting for the greater good. Onion shows us that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
larareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Slavery
Moderate: Transphobia, Homophobia, War, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
neiljung78's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I felt a bit in the weeds with this for some of the middle but it started great & the end is incredibly moving. But man - it needed a better editor. I don’t mean to be shorter, I mean stuff like the same simile or even sentence occurring more than once. Even so there’s great stuff in it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
The book is set and about slavery and is unflinching about the realities of that, both in terms of what white people did and said.
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