Reviews

Contending Forces: A Romance Illustrative of Negro Life North and South by Pauline E. Hopkins

sabregirl's review against another edition

2.0

This book was completely predictable. From the moment that you learned the Smiths were decendents of that tragic family of the Monfronts you basically knew what was going to happen in the novel. And there was just a lot of fluff added inbetween to make things more complicated and a bit more confusing. When that man from the South came to the discussion about the lynching and the reaction from Sappho I could just guess she was that person. I think it was the predictablity that made this book fairly boring. While it did show the struggles that people would go through if their name was tarnished with the possiblity of them being just a fraction of black, and how the past follows you. The ending was justifiable and some what fulfilling.

nickjonesreadsbooks's review against another edition

4.0

I read this book for a lit class in college. I really liked it at the time. It has a unique style that is lyrical at times.

haleyashtonpowell's review against another edition

5.0

A novel as intricate, sad, and deeply telling as the legacy of slavery in all its horrors and confusion. Even in moments you think Hopkins is wrong, she endeavors to show she's right and is usually successful. The book combines the struggles of feminism, colorism, racism, sexual assault, religion, occultism, and makes them the common cords that tie black communities and black life. It was difficult to read at times, but absolutely excellent.

oscxrwilde's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Racism, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Suicide

abarone121's review against another edition

3.0

Read (late) for my American lit class. It was a fast read, but it was definitely dense at some points. This is a book that acts as a messenger for important points regarding race, America, and upward mobility.

haleypowell's review against another edition

5.0

A novel as intricate, sad, and deeply telling as the legacy of slavery in all its horrors and confusion. Even in moments you think Hopkins is wrong, she endeavors to show she's right and is usually successful. The book combines the struggles of feminism, colorism, racism, sexual assault, religion, occultism, and makes them the common cords that tie black communities and black life. It was difficult to read at times, but absolutely excellent.