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4.6 AVERAGE
4.6 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an incredibly hard read for me. It was intellectually written, but I almost gave up after reading the first chapter because it was just so hard to get through. The story spanned generations and covered very heavy topics like slavery, incest, rape/sexual abuse, drug use and racism. I trudged through it and struggled each time to read a little bit. As a privileged white woman, it was extremely hard to relate to the characters. This book was not written for me to relate, though. It was an important look at generational trauma and hardship for marginalized communities. I appreciated how the book focused a little bit on Native Americans and how they became mixed into culture with whites and blacks. I thought there would be more of an ah-ha moment at the end of the book after Ailey dives deep into her family history, but that ah-ha moment did not really come.
I loved the protagonist's story. Ailey has ups and downs and makes good and choices. Even though this epic is 800 pages, it's excellent. The novel spans generations and dives into the plantation owner, Samuel, and his tragic abuse of girls; However, most of the novel is set in the last couple of decades with Ailey and her family. An epic tale stretching back 300 years.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“Poets turned authors” is a worthy genre. It’s where the most memorable reads come from. That’s where Love Songs falls into. Such a grand song of a novel. Even after reading the pages end to end, they are ringing with me. Heart achingly brilliant. HEAVY but in the end, I’m just left with pure awe. So powerful.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
I want to be transparent so I will, this book took me a while to get through. But as an extremely avid non-DNFer I pushed through and I am SO glad I did. It's a story about family and perseverance. It weaves through years of family struggle and strength with the core always rooted in love. I was left craving 'home', despite not knowing where mine really is. There will come a moment while reading this book where you will want to fight sleep in order to not put it down (speaking from experience).
To summarize: I laughed. I screamed. I cried. I contemplated.
To summarize: I laughed. I screamed. I cried. I contemplated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse
A beautiful book, but so, so painful. Every trigger warning there is. Real and raw and hopeful through it all, but honestly so hard to read. I just loved the characters, especially Lydia and Ailey.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
Beautiful, deep, just brilliant. Worth the intimidating length for sure and the author really uses all the pages! Not just filler. I learned SO much, felt deeply touched, love how she shows characters developing, and so much care woven throughout.