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yarm's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A sad story about enslaved people during the time of the American civil war. The story is mostly told from the first person view of Jemma, a young girl born into slavery. I found it hard to read about the torture and suffering that the slaves endured. I was shocked to read the first person perspective of Anne-May, the plantation mistress, her entitled views of her superiority over people of colour. Also sad to have the story based in the war where there was so much death and destruction. Such a tragic era, but maybe war was the only way sudden change to an abhorrent social structure could take place. I understand now why African Americans ask for reparations from wealthy white families who are rich only because of how their ancestors earns their money from slave labour. The first person perspective of Georgy, a wealthy young woman who dedicates her life to nursing this who are injured or sick, regardless of race or background. The author’s note was very interesting to read. She had based her book on historical account of the Wolsey family. It was pleasing to find out that Georgy was eventually able to realise her dream of setting up a nursing school for women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Slavery, Death, Racism, Violence, and War
abbyarm's review
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Slavery, Violence, Racism, Torture, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual assault, and Medical content
Minor: Gore and Sexism
This book is about nursing during the American Civil War. It is split into three perspectives. One of a northern nurse, one of a slave in Maryland and one of a plantation owner in Maryland. The author does not do much to sugar coat what those people would have been through or done to other people. It is a good book. I would just recommend being ready for that aspect of the story.kimmyslostchill's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
It is hard to put into words how powerful this book was and how much it means to me. At times, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever read and yet still, it will go down in history as one of my all time favorite books.
The cruelty of humans is all too evident anytime one thinks of slavery, and this book does not shy away from horrible, ugly truths. At times it was so hard to read that I could physically feel the weight of it in my bones and would have to pull my eyes away from the book and take a moment to breath. However, looking back, that is not what I will remember about this book. I will remember Jemma and Georgy and how they never stopped fighting for what is right. Despite every cruel injustice and unfair circumstances and on and on and on, they fought. Even when they were tired or hurting, they never stopped thinking of what was important and what they knew they needed to do. I also deeply appreciated their friendship and how together they learned how to do even better then they already were, how to advocate for themselves better, how to tell the truth and how to grieve and how to be a friend. It was beautiful to watch them grow.
I also appreciated how well perspectives from all sides of the war. Not even just from the obvious narration standpoint but from the brothers and soldiers who crossed the paths of our three narrators. It really shines a light on how there were truly good and bad people on both sides and truly, when it comes down to it, what matters is how we treat people. Simply being an abolitionist isn’t enough to make you a good person if you don’t treat the person in front of you right, slave or free.
Truly, the only downside is the label of historical fiction. I simply wish I could know every detail of what was real and what was fiction. I of course read the Author’s Note and appreciated the attempts at clarifying that for me. However, I am so engaged that I will definitely be looking up the resources listed there to learn even more for myself.
If it was up to me, Sunflower Sisters would be required reading for all. I loved this book so much and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.
The cruelty of humans is all too evident anytime one thinks of slavery, and this book does not shy away from horrible, ugly truths. At times it was so hard to read that I could physically feel the weight of it in my bones and would have to pull my eyes away from the book and take a moment to breath. However, looking back, that is not what I will remember about this book. I will remember Jemma and Georgy and how they never stopped fighting for what is right. Despite every cruel injustice and unfair circumstances and on and on and on, they fought. Even when they were tired or hurting, they never stopped thinking of what was important and what they knew they needed to do. I also deeply appreciated their friendship and how together they learned how to do even better then they already were, how to advocate for themselves better, how to tell the truth and how to grieve and how to be a friend. It was beautiful to watch them grow.
I also appreciated how well perspectives from all sides of the war. Not even just from the obvious narration standpoint but from the brothers and soldiers who crossed the paths of our three narrators. It really shines a light on how there were truly good and bad people on both sides and truly, when it comes down to it, what matters is how we treat people. Simply being an abolitionist isn’t enough to make you a good person if you don’t treat the person in front of you right, slave or free.
Truly, the only downside is the label of historical fiction. I simply wish I could know every detail of what was real and what was fiction. I of course read the Author’s Note and appreciated the attempts at clarifying that for me. However, I am so engaged that I will definitely be looking up the resources listed there to learn even more for myself.
If it was up to me, Sunflower Sisters would be required reading for all. I loved this book so much and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, Torture, Slavery, Physical abuse, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Child death, and Blood
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