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chrliesangel28's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
fast-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
4.0
tariqah's review against another edition
2.0
"Carolina Built" is based on the life of Josephine N. Leary whose story is interesting in that she owned properties and established the building in downtown Edenton marked "J.N. Leary 1894."
True to her background, Josephine (known as "Jo" throughout the book) operated a barbershop with her husband, Sweety, and went about her life establishing a portfolio of properties.
I would have liked to read an account of Jo's life from a historical context, however. Instead, it's like a journal-style presentation of her goals, milestones, brief marital challenges and a flicker of the racism at the time.
I think it would have done the book justice in terms of conflict to explore the women's suffrage movement and racism more rather than the demolishment of just one of her buildings, and challenges in her marriage. Both seemed easily rectifiable; therefore, I did not get a chance to experience the strong and perservering character I was looking for.
True to her background, Josephine (known as "Jo" throughout the book) operated a barbershop with her husband, Sweety, and went about her life establishing a portfolio of properties.
I would have liked to read an account of Jo's life from a historical context, however. Instead, it's like a journal-style presentation of her goals, milestones, brief marital challenges and a flicker of the racism at the time.
I think it would have done the book justice in terms of conflict to explore the women's suffrage movement and racism more rather than the demolishment of just one of her buildings, and challenges in her marriage. Both seemed easily rectifiable; therefore, I did not get a chance to experience the strong and perservering character I was looking for.
hpiglet's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a very well researched book about JW Leary, a woman I wouldn’t have known about without reading this book. It’s very obvious the author did an exceptional deep dive into history to find so much detail about Jo’s life.
The thing is, there was so much telling and not enough showing. At times it seemed like the author prioritized a fact or some detailed piece of history over the plot of the book. I really think it would’ve been better served as a narrative non fiction history book. Also I’m very curious as to how open minded the town of Edenton really was. Only one dangerous incident of racism and a few microaggressions seems…not what many might expect of North Carolina. Perhaps Jo left it out of her journal?
I’m glad I read the book and am happy to know more about JW Leary.
The thing is, there was so much telling and not enough showing. At times it seemed like the author prioritized a fact or some detailed piece of history over the plot of the book. I really think it would’ve been better served as a narrative non fiction history book. Also I’m very curious as to how open minded the town of Edenton really was. Only one dangerous incident of racism and a few microaggressions seems…not what many might expect of North Carolina. Perhaps Jo left it out of her journal?
I’m glad I read the book and am happy to know more about JW Leary.
thesydda's review against another edition
Too much telling and not enough showing. I think the book would have worked better as nonfiction.
whodatro's review against another edition
3.0
This is the Disney version of the story of a freed slave, Josephine Leary, who was able to amass an impressive commercial real estate porfolio after emancipation and Reconstruction.
Mrs Leary and her husband are barbers and newly married when they arrived to Edenton with her mother, grandmother and brother. She and her husband are mixed race, but he is an Octoroon, therefore he has the ability to pass for white, which he often does. Her first real estate negotiation is the lease of their barbershop. She later goes on to have 2 daughters and eventually buys their family home, barbershop, and 4 or 6 other properties.
I had never heard of her, but Josephine Leary is real. This book, however, is a work of fiction. A black woman is able to buy land and buildings from white men and get a mortgage loan from the bank without incident. She buys the commercial property in her own name, which is a source of tension in her marriage, because she never let's the husband forget it's hers and her money that bought it. There is only one racist incident in the book and it happened during a Juneteeth picnic at their church.
Honestly is was a nice escape to not have to read or hear about any trauma, but we know Mrs. Leary's experiences weren't a fairy tale. There was also some usage of modern vocabulary, though set in the late 1800s
Mrs Leary and her husband are barbers and newly married when they arrived to Edenton with her mother, grandmother and brother. She and her husband are mixed race, but he is an Octoroon, therefore he has the ability to pass for white, which he often does. Her first real estate negotiation is the lease of their barbershop. She later goes on to have 2 daughters and eventually buys their family home, barbershop, and 4 or 6 other properties.
I had never heard of her, but Josephine Leary is real. This book, however, is a work of fiction. A black woman is able to buy land and buildings from white men and get a mortgage loan from the bank without incident. She buys the commercial property in her own name, which is a source of tension in her marriage, because she never let's the husband forget it's hers and her money that bought it. There is only one racist incident in the book and it happened during a Juneteeth picnic at their church.
Honestly is was a nice escape to not have to read or hear about any trauma, but we know Mrs. Leary's experiences weren't a fairy tale. There was also some usage of modern vocabulary, though set in the late 1800s
karaklos's review against another edition
3.0
Carolina Built is the story of Josephine (Jo) Leary, an African American woman who amassed multiple properties after emancipation from slavery as a child. Being an entrepreneur at the time was virtually unheard of for a woman, much less an African American woman.
While the book captures Jo’s spirit and motivations, it didn’t portray the journey from child slave to entrepreneur nor the struggles she must have certainly encountered in acquiring businesses. The book was mostly about her domestic life instead of her growth as an entrepreneur. The dialogue felt a little too formal and I wanted to know Jo’s thoughts and worries on a deeper level.
Thank you to Goodreads for this ARC. I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
While the book captures Jo’s spirit and motivations, it didn’t portray the journey from child slave to entrepreneur nor the struggles she must have certainly encountered in acquiring businesses. The book was mostly about her domestic life instead of her growth as an entrepreneur. The dialogue felt a little too formal and I wanted to know Jo’s thoughts and worries on a deeper level.
Thank you to Goodreads for this ARC. I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
lilacs4b's review against another edition
informative
reflective
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
4.0
simplymodest's review against another edition
4.0
This book is basically a very well written history book. I loved the story and was empowered by a woman who did amazing things that us as women are still fighting to do today. Her story is amazing.
allyreadsstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
bcat0124's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0