Reviews

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

bendercath's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

3.75

This book’s lyrical writing feels like an epic poem that sears its way into the senses and deeply into the heart. It is haunting.

Jesmyn Ward’s artistry is remarkable. Stunning. I listened to the audiobook read by the author which felt like a privilege and an honor.

I will not forget this book. The parallels and references to Dante’s Inferno are brilliant. What I will not forget in particular is the brutality of this story. The moments of love and longing kept me reading but it was an incredibly difficult read. Painful. I almost gave up but felt that it was important not to look away.

I often read this genre but will not again for a long time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Slavery, and Physical abuse

aboxer6490's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

akosmihaly's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

3.0

mkozodoy's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

nematome's review

challenging dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

leniverse's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? No

4.0

starrynightsandfirelight's review

emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

georgiahi's review

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

I love Jysmin Wards writing, it is so beautiful and haunting. This book is not my favorite of hers. I struggled to make sense of the spirits— maybe some knowledge of African diaspora gods I don’t have would help? 

phoxyphoenix's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective

5.0

mrsmarvellousfiction's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-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? Yes

3.25