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christina_billhartz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
mbladams's review against another edition
4.0
This was my second historical fiction read of December, and while it started off a little choppy, I grew to appreciate the story in the end. Being a North Carolinian, it was fascinating to learn about Josephine Napoleon Leary, who was an early real estate entrepreneur in Edenton and other towns in coastal North Carolina in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like the author, I am sad (but not surprised) that our North Carolina history classes never mentioned Leary, even though her accomplishments were quite groundbreaking for her time.
Jo comes from a hardworking family who were former slaves. Jo remembers life as an enslaved person, but is proud of her accomplishments since then. As the book begins, she has just married Archer Leary. They are both barbers, and plan to open their own barbershop. But Jo has other plans as well - she wants to own property. Archer - whose nickname is Sweety - can (and does often) pass as white, giving them an advantage in the racist atmosphere of the 187os. When they look at a property in Elizabeth City that Archer plans to buy, the real estate broker refuses to honor the advertised promise to take half the asking price at sale and the rest paid over time because Sweety's wife is colored. But Jo has $500, and purchases the property outright. This begins a lifelong passion for acquiring and developing real estate.
The book jumps from vignette to vignette of Jo's life. Sometimes, this makes the book seem choppy. In addition, the dynamic between Jo and Archer can get repetitive. Archer struggles with accepting a wife who is self-reliant and not happy being a "traditional" wife, staying home with the kids and taking care of the house. Despite his chronic insecurities, his love of his wife comes through.
Despite the choppiness and the repetitive themes, the story is a very interesting one. I loved learning about Jo and look forward to looking for her building the next time I visit Edenton.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this interesting book!
Jo comes from a hardworking family who were former slaves. Jo remembers life as an enslaved person, but is proud of her accomplishments since then. As the book begins, she has just married Archer Leary. They are both barbers, and plan to open their own barbershop. But Jo has other plans as well - she wants to own property. Archer - whose nickname is Sweety - can (and does often) pass as white, giving them an advantage in the racist atmosphere of the 187os. When they look at a property in Elizabeth City that Archer plans to buy, the real estate broker refuses to honor the advertised promise to take half the asking price at sale and the rest paid over time because Sweety's wife is colored. But Jo has $500, and purchases the property outright. This begins a lifelong passion for acquiring and developing real estate.
The book jumps from vignette to vignette of Jo's life. Sometimes, this makes the book seem choppy. In addition, the dynamic between Jo and Archer can get repetitive. Archer struggles with accepting a wife who is self-reliant and not happy being a "traditional" wife, staying home with the kids and taking care of the house. Despite his chronic insecurities, his love of his wife comes through.
Despite the choppiness and the repetitive themes, the story is a very interesting one. I loved learning about Jo and look forward to looking for her building the next time I visit Edenton.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this interesting book!
thistlereads's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
Based on the life of Josephine Leary who began life as an enslaved person and despite gender and skin color, passed away with sizable real estate holdings.
tayler_liberationislit's review against another edition
3.0
Josephine N. Leary is a powerhouse. Learning about her life through this fictionalized account was interesting. It’s always interesting learning about famous women in history who have had so much stacked against them and still managed to succeed as an integral part of society. It’s equally fascinating that a writer can distill a compelling story using only historical records, journal entries, and imagination.
Carolina Built is a compelling story of triumph and determination despite numerous setbacks. We learn more than Leary’s great feats, but other pivotal women in her community at the time. We get to see a thriving Black city during reconstruction and the contributions of inspirational Black people.
Listening to the audiobook, however, took away from the experience for me. I’m not sure if the narrator wasn’t engaging enough, or the material just felt too much like recounting events. The story felt a lot like “I felt like…” instead of powerful descriptions. I didn’t feel as if I were experiencing life through the characters’ eyes. It felt as if it were just another historical account.
I still would recommend this story because stories like Josephine Leary’s are so important. So often the historical accomplishments of Black women are erased and fade away through time.
Carolina Built is a compelling story of triumph and determination despite numerous setbacks. We learn more than Leary’s great feats, but other pivotal women in her community at the time. We get to see a thriving Black city during reconstruction and the contributions of inspirational Black people.
Listening to the audiobook, however, took away from the experience for me. I’m not sure if the narrator wasn’t engaging enough, or the material just felt too much like recounting events. The story felt a lot like “I felt like…” instead of powerful descriptions. I didn’t feel as if I were experiencing life through the characters’ eyes. It felt as if it were just another historical account.
I still would recommend this story because stories like Josephine Leary’s are so important. So often the historical accomplishments of Black women are erased and fade away through time.
bgw's review against another edition
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
candyflynn's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.75
cassmills's review against another edition
4.0
This is the NC history book we should have all been reading!!! It’s a beautiful and untold story about Josephine Leary who lives in Edenton, NC. She works diligently to improve the life of her dear daughters so that she may leave them with more than what she had herself. Society’s strong patriarchal and racist values are at odds with Josephine as she learns to navigate a world that’s placed her at the bottom of the totem pole.
mstriceyb's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Book 63 of 2022
I loved the story of Josephine Leary. She was a boss! She built up her wealth and properties with grace.
The writing style made me forget that this story began during slavery and took place through the emancipation and the years that followed. The characters all sounded educated. They never encountered any real racial issues even though they lived in North Carolina. And Jo accomplished major things as a black woman in those times. That part made it seem less real.
The story was good but it moved extremely slow.
I would read more from this author.
Book 63 of 2022
I loved the story of Josephine Leary. She was a boss! She built up her wealth and properties with grace.
The writing style made me forget that this story began during slavery and took place through the emancipation and the years that followed. The characters all sounded educated. They never encountered any real racial issues even though they lived in North Carolina. And Jo accomplished major things as a black woman in those times. That part made it seem less real.
The story was good but it moved extremely slow.
I would read more from this author.