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melbsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Trigger warnings: slavery, death, attempted rape, attempted incest, death of a parent, racism, racial slurs
I...don't quite know how to feel about this book. On the one hand, the look at 18th century Senegal through the eyes of a Frenchman was intriguing, and the diary format worked well. But at the same time, I found that the most authentic and engaging part of the entire book was the epilogue from the perspective of Madeleine, an enslaved girl in the Caribbean. All in all, I think that At Night All Blood Is Black is a stronger work, but I'm not clear whether it's a translation thing or a writing thing or a story thing.
I...don't quite know how to feel about this book. On the one hand, the look at 18th century Senegal through the eyes of a Frenchman was intriguing, and the diary format worked well. But at the same time, I found that the most authentic and engaging part of the entire book was the epilogue from the perspective of Madeleine, an enslaved girl in the Caribbean. All in all, I think that At Night All Blood Is Black is a stronger work, but I'm not clear whether it's a translation thing or a writing thing or a story thing.
njw13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
melc's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a compelling story, told in skilled, evocative prose with interesting characters, and a rich, interesting plot. The discussions surrounding Europe's relationship with Africa, the slave trade and the exploitation of native African commercial commodities was throught provoking and nuanced.
Where this book was let down for me was by the narrative style. I just don't like books where the narrative becomes the retelling of past events for an audience within the novel. And especially then when that narrative begins to retell a story of yet another character. The past tense nature of this creates barriers for me between what the characters are feeling and my reaction as a reader.
Also I couldn't understand why we never returned to Aglaé and her reactions to this hidden part of her deceased father's life. Why explain why he was like he was in terms of her relationship to her without then drawing back to her understanding of these revelations.
So ultimately this was a well told story but from the wrong angle which resulted in me struggling to understand what I should feel from my experience of reading.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
Where this book was let down for me was by the narrative style. I just don't like books where the narrative becomes the retelling of past events for an audience within the novel. And especially then when that narrative begins to retell a story of yet another character. The past tense nature of this creates barriers for me between what the characters are feeling and my reaction as a reader.
Also I couldn't understand why we never returned to Aglaé and her reactions to this hidden part of her deceased father's life. Why explain why he was like he was in terms of her relationship to her without then drawing back to her understanding of these revelations.
So ultimately this was a well told story but from the wrong angle which resulted in me struggling to understand what I should feel from my experience of reading.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
claudia_da's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A heartbreaking story about French colonialism in Senegal and how it destroyed the people there, the culture and the land.
doramac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
kelseyann's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I'm biased because I study this precise era of Senegalese history, but I have to say that Diop's research is impeccable, and deftly woven into the narrative of this book. Gave a new perspective on Michel Adanson that I wasn't expecting. Masterfully done, especially in the last chapter.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Trafficking, Sexual harassment, Rape, Racism, Slavery, and Sexual content
blackcatcuddles's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jarichan's review against another edition
4.0
Auch wenn das neue Werk Diops qualitativ und erzähltechnisch nicht ganz an "Nachts ist unser Blut schwarz" heranreicht, so legt der Autor doch wieder ein fundiertes und gutes Buch vor. Michel Adanson kannte ich bisher noch nicht, sodass ich durch die Lektüre erneut einiges lernen konnte.
Jedoch fehlte mir ein Nachwort, in welchem Diop erklären würde, welche Teile auf wahren Begebenheiten beruhen und wo er seiner Fantasie freien Lauf gelassen hatte. Bei historischen Büchern, die auf wahren Begebenheiten bzw. Personen beruhen, wäre so ein Leitfaden nicht schlecht.
Gewohnt eindrücklich und mit viel Gefühl erzählt uns Diop Adanons Geschichte. Dabei arbeitet er nicht nur mit Binnen- und Rahmenhandlung, sondern auch mit Elementen des Briefromans. Eine Mischung, die hier wunderbar funktioniert.
Vor allem natürlich Leser/innen von Romanen, die auf Fakten beruhen, kommen hier auf ihre Kosten. Jedoch muss man auch mit einem Hauch von Magie rechnen. Um diesen Aspekt der senegalesischen Kultur kommt man nicht herum.
Ich freue mich, dass Diop ein weiteres Buch veröffentlicht hat und bin gespannt, welchem Thema er sich als nächstes widmen wird.
Jedoch fehlte mir ein Nachwort, in welchem Diop erklären würde, welche Teile auf wahren Begebenheiten beruhen und wo er seiner Fantasie freien Lauf gelassen hatte. Bei historischen Büchern, die auf wahren Begebenheiten bzw. Personen beruhen, wäre so ein Leitfaden nicht schlecht.
Gewohnt eindrücklich und mit viel Gefühl erzählt uns Diop Adanons Geschichte. Dabei arbeitet er nicht nur mit Binnen- und Rahmenhandlung, sondern auch mit Elementen des Briefromans. Eine Mischung, die hier wunderbar funktioniert.
Vor allem natürlich Leser/innen von Romanen, die auf Fakten beruhen, kommen hier auf ihre Kosten. Jedoch muss man auch mit einem Hauch von Magie rechnen. Um diesen Aspekt der senegalesischen Kultur kommt man nicht herum.
Ich freue mich, dass Diop ein weiteres Buch veröffentlicht hat und bin gespannt, welchem Thema er sich als nächstes widmen wird.
eszczech's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0