You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The lives--in detail--of enslaved people in pre-Civil War America from their own perspectives. Each chapter is told from one of the character's POV (for example, they call themselves the "Stolen" and those who "own" them as the "Thieves." The exploration of the evils of slavery spares nothing; we must bear witness to our history.
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is the story of five Stolen people living on a plantation as slaves under their Thief, Cannonball Greene. The lyricism of the writing is in sharp contrast to the sombre lives of these Stolen. There is a magical quality to this story, with fantastical touches that provide hope about the characters and their development despite the fear and despair of their situation.
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
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
I recently read both [b:The Sweetness of Water|54404602|The Sweetness of Water|Nathan Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1593989595l/54404602._SY75_.jpg|84896483] and [b:The Prophets|52576333|The Prophets|Robert Jones Jr.|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1584823829l/52576333._SY75_.jpg|76317525], and I liked this almost as much as the former, and much more than the latter. It's a compelling story, with intriguing elements of magical realism.
I enjoyed the characters, but their voices weren't sufficiently different. Each chapter is written in the first person and I'd find myself having to check the chapter heading to remind myself whether the reader was in the head of William or Cato, Pandora or Margaret. They were also not well-distinguished in their dialogue.
I also wanted and expected more from the ending. I thought the magical elements that cropped up throughout the story to great effect would be more relevant at the end. I did appreciate that the ending wasn't ambiguous, though. Literary novels tend towards ambiguous ('clever') endings, and they're a pet peeve of mine. Of course, you may not feel the same way and I won't hold that against you. ;)
However, this is to focus on the one star I didn't give this book! To turn to the four stars I did give it, it's a great story, which I really enjoyed! Of course, since it's a book about enslaved people, there is cruelty and suffering. But there is determination and mutual support, love and loyalty and hope.
*
See my reviews of The Sweetness of Water and The Prophets.
I enjoyed the characters, but their voices weren't sufficiently different. Each chapter is written in the first person and I'd find myself having to check the chapter heading to remind myself whether the reader was in the head of William or Cato, Pandora or Margaret. They were also not well-distinguished in their dialogue.
I also wanted and expected more from the ending. I thought the magical elements that cropped up throughout the story to great effect would be more relevant at the end. I did appreciate that the ending wasn't ambiguous, though. Literary novels tend towards ambiguous ('clever') endings, and they're a pet peeve of mine. Of course, you may not feel the same way and I won't hold that against you. ;)
However, this is to focus on the one star I didn't give this book! To turn to the four stars I did give it, it's a great story, which I really enjoyed! Of course, since it's a book about enslaved people, there is cruelty and suffering. But there is determination and mutual support, love and loyalty and hope.
*
See my reviews of The Sweetness of Water and The Prophets.