Reviews

Jubilee by Margaret Walker

evebe's review

challenging emotional inspiring 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? No

4.0

kerrykerryboberry's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative 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

3.0

jmg317's review

5.0

This novel is truly a remarkable piece of literary history. Based on Margaret Walker's grandparents/great grandparents, the journey we take through antebellum GA through the civil war and the reconstruction era south is truly immersive and heartbreaking. The writing is so accessible and entertaining, it is shocking that this isn't a staple of literature in our education system. The main character is so unwaveringly loving and forgiving that you find uplifting themes in a truly dark period of history.

Definitely an all time favorite.

aburciaga11's review

challenging hopeful informative 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

juppiegirl_79's review

5.0

This is one of my all time favorite books. It is very moving. I wish they would publish it for the Kindle.

sace's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

kathyxtran's review

4.0

Astonishing. A deeply moving family history. The type of narrative that can be misconstrued as a series of tragedies that fetishize Black suffering for the sake of a moralistic triumph of some liberal ideal, whether it's that the human spirit is resilient or that progress marches forward or that Black women have to carry a saintly burden. But this defies simplistic readings. It portrays the complex reality of America, with many different class, race and gender dynamics at work. If there is a triumphant narrative here, it is how Black people in America fought to free themselves from slavery and continue to fight.

lilyh9528's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death

Minor: Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Pregnancy

jholland's review

challenging emotional sad tense slow-paced

4.0

stefanie's review

3.0

A harrowing but ultimately uplifting book with a phenomenal heroine that will renew your faith in humanity.