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4.6 AVERAGE
4.6 AVERAGE
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Abortion
Minor: Alcoholism
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
Intergenerational stories so often fall flat for me, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up liking this. I think Jeffers did such a great job balancing the mythological tone of the past chapters with the more grounded modern day chapters, and she never let the humanity and specificity of her characters get shrouded by the scope of the larger story. I loved the familial relationships in all their complexity, especially between the sisters. With that said, my biggest complaint is that Coco didn't get her moment to shine! I was hoping we'd get something from her perspective.
For me personally, this did lack a certain something that could have made it a new favourite, but it's a beautiful - though painful - novel nonetheless and I would highly recommend for anyone in the mood for a big book and a sweeping epic that still feels grounded and intimate.
For me personally, this did lack a certain something that could have made it a new favourite, but it's a beautiful - though painful - novel nonetheless and I would highly recommend for anyone in the mood for a big book and a sweeping epic that still feels grounded and intimate.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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
I've read many books about slavery and have known about the generational trauma that it caused. This book brings it alive.
My first note is if you are listening to it, download the PDF. This book is probably better read because of all of the characters. The PDF helps a lot.
I still have 2 questions. Which ancestor is speaking to Ailey? They bring it up at the end and don't answer that question.
Also, she finds that there is Franklin blood in their tree. I wish I knew more about this. Especially since no one knew and with Cordelia's intense reaction. She seemed better with the fact that there were black people in her family tree. You almost forget about the Franklin's by the time this comes up.
I wish I could say I was surprised by Samuel's sexual assault of children. But I'm not. His blantent display of it by making the left house was a little surprising.
In Ailey's time it was hard to read what happened to Lydia. I think if the author wanted to be a comprehensive history, drugs and prison needed to be included. Definitely tragic though.
Even with the PDF the book was very ambitious. I don't have the best memory, so their we're things mentioned at the end that I didn't remember the beginning. I also do not think it needed to be so long.
I am thankful that she included what happened to the Creek people. I absolutely think their story needs to be told.
I do think this is a good book, but it's too long.
I loved the character of Ailey, an unapologetic Black woman feminist. I loved following her on her journey through the years.
When I first picked up this novel, I was intimidated by its length. I read reviews likening it to Homegoing (an absolute masterpiece IMO) but had no idea it was 800 pages. Another factor of intimidation for me was Oprah’s Book Club designation. Generally her choice of books are extremely hard and depressing.
I think if this novel had begun with the tough stuff, I may have put it down. There’s an overlayer of child abuse that is hinted at early-on, and described repeatedly in greater detail (trigger warning!) but these descriptions are saved for when you’re far too invested in these characters to walk away.
All sorts of tough stuff here: slavery in its cruelest form, repeated child abuse from several angles. There’s also a whole drug abuse story arch that is difficult to read.
Every character is well-fleshed and brilliant. I was never bored and it was an “easy” to read 800 pages. I much appreciated the family tree at the beginning of the book and referred to it often. It really helped keep your head in the right place.
I wouldn’t recommend this book for everyone, but it was very well done, and I’d recommend if for anyone who loved Homegoing like I did.
Audible note: multiple readers, the reader for Ailey’s story had a cadence to her voice that changed the vibe of the story for me. It was hard to describe, but it almost felt like she ended every sentence with an upward intonation I struggled with. This one may be better read in-hand.
When I first picked up this novel, I was intimidated by its length. I read reviews likening it to Homegoing (an absolute masterpiece IMO) but had no idea it was 800 pages. Another factor of intimidation for me was Oprah’s Book Club designation. Generally her choice of books are extremely hard and depressing.
I think if this novel had begun with the tough stuff, I may have put it down. There’s an overlayer of child abuse that is hinted at early-on, and described repeatedly in greater detail (trigger warning!) but these descriptions are saved for when you’re far too invested in these characters to walk away.
All sorts of tough stuff here: slavery in its cruelest form, repeated child abuse from several angles. There’s also a whole drug abuse story arch that is difficult to read.
Every character is well-fleshed and brilliant. I was never bored and it was an “easy” to read 800 pages. I much appreciated the family tree at the beginning of the book and referred to it often. It really helped keep your head in the right place.
I wouldn’t recommend this book for everyone, but it was very well done, and I’d recommend if for anyone who loved Homegoing like I did.
Audible note: multiple readers, the reader for Ailey’s story had a cadence to her voice that changed the vibe of the story for me. It was hard to describe, but it almost felt like she ended every sentence with an upward intonation I struggled with. This one may be better read in-hand.
4.5/5
could not have finished this except for during this week after finals and before internship…maybe will review later idk still processing
could not have finished this except for during this week after finals and before internship…maybe will review later idk still processing
I paused my reading of The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois at about a tenth of the way through, around 'What Is Best.' While I might return to it, I found the book’s extensive, continuous descriptive prose a bit exhausting. The narrative style feels as though it's intended as a revelation to readers unfamiliar with the generational experiences of people of color in the United States.
Rather than bringing these historical figures to life in a textured, emotionally intimate way, the storytelling often feels like it’s stating, 'This is how it is,' making the people and events appear one-dimensional. This approach, though educational, makes the history less engaging than I’d hoped. I find myself longing for the insightful and lived voices of W.E.B. Du Bois himself, whose works delve into similar themes with more depth and personal nuance.
Rather than bringing these historical figures to life in a textured, emotionally intimate way, the storytelling often feels like it’s stating, 'This is how it is,' making the people and events appear one-dimensional. This approach, though educational, makes the history less engaging than I’d hoped. I find myself longing for the insightful and lived voices of W.E.B. Du Bois himself, whose works delve into similar themes with more depth and personal nuance.
This book was incredible from start to finish. An intergenerational saga of a Black family with Indigenous roots that paints a picture of the Black experience in America. Members of each generation of this family have experienced extreme trauma and the whole novel paints a clear picture of the harms of colonialism, slavery, and more generally, white supremacy. I devoured this book and in the days I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. The stories are woven with the history of the south and as someone who lives in Mississippi, it’s impossible to disconnect from the characters and their experience. This book is one of the best books I have EVER read and I think every American should read it.
A sprawling epic worthy of the five stars I’m giving it.