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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This should be paired with Sing, Unburied, Sing, as the spirits of both novels seem to play by similar rules and occupy a similar universe; Let Us Descend is an expansion. I really praise Jesmyn Ward’s use of language, though as with Sing, my problem is that it sometimes goes too far. It makes me wonder if I’m even reading it right, or if reading aloud/audiobook is stronger because it’s clearly working to be sooo lyrical, but on the page it can push to cringe.
On the whole, the magical realism in this story is far less effective than in Sing. I thought it felt a bit forced, and was ladled in either too much abstruse poetry or plain cliche, and was often entirely confusing.
Why the double Aza naming, and why no clarification for the reader as it went on? Because I missed that initially (the difference between the Aza spirit and Mama Aza) so that MAAAAAJOR portion of the book had me mad confused.
Jesmyn Ward wrote this in the wake of terrible tragedy and personal loss. Kudos to her, I can only imagine how difficult this book was to write — I’m glad she did, and that she continues to bestow us with an offering: the gift of her prose.
“You can’t ask me to drown on the promise of freedom.”
“How that love, with nowhere to go, aches: wind snagging ragged over frosted winter rocks.”
“I close my eyes to see the darkness behind my lids, to know a more familiar black.”
“All our lives been an offering, and this seeing is what’s been given back.”
On the whole, the magical realism in this story is far less effective than in Sing. I thought it felt a bit forced, and was ladled in either too much abstruse poetry or plain cliche, and was often entirely confusing.
Why the double Aza naming, and why no clarification for the reader as it went on? Because I missed that initially (the difference between the Aza spirit and Mama Aza) so that MAAAAAJOR portion of the book had me mad confused.
Jesmyn Ward wrote this in the wake of terrible tragedy and personal loss. Kudos to her, I can only imagine how difficult this book was to write — I’m glad she did, and that she continues to bestow us with an offering: the gift of her prose.
“You can’t ask me to drown on the promise of freedom.”
“How that love, with nowhere to go, aches: wind snagging ragged over frosted winter rocks.”
“I close my eyes to see the darkness behind my lids, to know a more familiar black.”
“All our lives been an offering, and this seeing is what’s been given back.”
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Slavery
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It's been a long time since a booked moved me so much. Walking with Annis was emotional and difficult,but in the times we are living now,very important and necessary to do. I don't think a book ever had a more apt title.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
So boring. Maybe would have been better with a trained narrator but the author's reading was completely monotone and really made it all an indistinguishable mush. Probably wouldn't have finished if I hadn't been driving while listening.
This book is full of horror and grief, spirits and wonder, trees and mud and hope. Jesmyn Ward's writing is lush and poetic; even more intensely so in this book. I'll be drawn back to this one again I'm sure.
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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