Reviews

Jubilee by Margaret Walker

seeceeread's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense 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? No

4.5

"I ain't gwine get tired a well-doin, cuz I'm gwine to shout, 'Glory!' one of these mornins when the wicked world is on fire."

Phenomenal historical fiction!

Walker crisscrossed the United States, reviewing court holdings, university archives and library records to develop a sickeningly realistic narrative. Robin Miles beautifully performs the diverse voices and personalities Walker created to depict the cloying violence of 19th century Alabama and Georgia. We hear slavers' justifications of their sadistic enforcement of white supremacy. And poor whites' jealous disdain for Africans who they imagine are usurping their economic chances. Free Blacks navigate heavy annual taxes, outright exile and family separation. Wives lament their soldier husbands' early, gruesome deaths. Spies avoid eye contact with acquaintances. Ku Klux Klan members scheme to validate theft with formal paperwork . . . Walker integrates the lyrics of spirituals throughout to uplift Vyry's faith, stoicism, practicality and nurturance. In her grandmother's character, readers are ushered towards resilience in this realm and deliverance in the next.

stenaros's review

4.0

I read this for the library book group and it was a great selection. Initially, I wasn't that into it and assigned myself to read two chapters per night, which would have me finishing right before the book discussion. It took me a bit to warm up to Vyry, the slave who is the main character. Eventually though, I got caught up in the book and raced ahead of my reading schedule.

I haven't read a slave narrative in years. They seem to have fallen out of fashion, though I'm not sure why. There's plenty of drama and pathos in the slave-to-freedom transition. At any rate, if you are looking for a good book, slave narrative or no, grab this book. It probably won't have any holds at your library as it was published in 1966.

castlelass's review against another edition

4.0

Historical fiction based on the life of the author’s maternal great grandmother, the daughter of a black slave and a white plantation owner. The protagonist, Vyry, is a strong, black woman with an admirable integrity of spirit in the face of severe adversity. She is a woman of faith doing the best she can for her family, as they suffer through slavery and then through continued racist torment during Reconstruction. It is split into three parts: Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction. I found the first and last parts the most impactful. In the middle part, the author assumes the reader is unaware of the specifics of the Civil War and provides a great deal of narrative context, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on how much you already know.

In documenting the oral history of her family, supplemented by research, the author has created an engrossing story with an authentic flavor. Walker is adept at describing the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures and environment. The author intersperses lyrics from spirituals and other music of the era, which adds a cultural quality to the story. One segment I found particularly thought-provoking involves a discussion of three adults near the end, where Vyry vocalizes thoughts and dreams of racial harmony in an inspiring manner. Different approaches are expressed by her husband and former husband, including passive acceptance and assertive resistance. First published in 1966, this book withstands the test of time. Recommended to those interested in African American history or what life was like in the American south before, during, and after the Civil War. As may be expected in a novel relating the horrors of slavery, it contains graphic violence and racism.

Memorable quote:

“The true Jubilee will be the day that Earth embraces this universe granting love and freedom to all.”

ash_ton's review against another edition

3.0

It took me 11 days to read, but it was a good read. Surely not my favorite Civil War book. I loved the “These is My Words” series. I did enjoy this book, though. I’ve taken two honors civil war classes and have read plenty of civil war novels and still learned a few things from this book.

a_reflective_reader's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-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? No

shanthereader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective 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

5.0

kbcozy22's review

emotional inspiring reflective tense slow-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? No

4.25

What a fantastic book! Read this for a Classics challenge ( tea and ink society). Before this challenge I had never heard of this book. It is grand and epic like Gone with the Wind but from the slave perspective. The only thing I struggled with was the onslaught of characters in the first third (which got easier as one read on) and sometime too much specific history that got in the way of the story at times. Would definitely recommend for someone interested in African American author/stories. Beautiful!

el_entrenador_loco's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

saycheeze37's review

5.0

I love Vyry. Through everything she faced she forgave and loved and continued on. Innis Brown's thoughts of Vyry from the end of the book express exactly what I want to say: "This women had a wisdom and a touching humility he could never cease to admire. It was more than her practical intelligence or her moral fortitude." Walker wrote a wonderful story of a journey to the past and while a rough road, there is a thread of hope that pulls you through. Walker's story is beautiful, as is the foreword by Nikki Giovanni.

engeehill's review

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0