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Strange Fruit, Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History by Joel Christian Gill
trevoryan's review
5.0
ALL of Joel Christian Gill's books are brilliant. I learn so much every time I read one of his books. Highly recommended.
labunnywtf's review
5.0
Read for Book Roast's Magical Readathon: NEWTs Exams. Subject: Muggle Studies, E Level. (A Biography)
Our humanity is shared through our stories, but the humanity of Black people is placed in a box labeled “Other” that we only open and admire in February. We need these stories to be a larger part of the American story so that people, all people, will realize that there isn’t just “Black History” and “White History,” but one American history, shaped by all of us.
When I read [b:Strange Fruit, Volume I: Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History|18528265|Strange Fruit, Volume I Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History|Joel Christian Gill|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391341671s/18528265.jpg|26233901] back in 2015, I said that if it weren't for the glaring lack of inclusion of women of color, the book would easily have earned 5 stars.
Well, Mr. Gill, here are your full 5 stars. You listened, and you did well. So, so well.
Everything I loved about the first volume is here. The sharp, crisp stories, the clear illustrations that combine history with pitch perfect metaphor, such as the literal crows representing Jim Crow laws. These factors combine to create compelling, unforgettable, incredibly heart breaking stories of life for slaves, and free men and women before the civil rights movement.
The first story, of free man Jourdon Anderson, is my favorite. Mr. Anderson is contacted by his former "owner", politely (no really) requesting his return to his home, with promises of good treatment. The return letter is everything. You will want to jump up and shout for joy.
Title for most bad ass person featured, however, goes to Stagecoach Mary Fields. I hope to someday be half the badass she was.
Not every story is full of joy and kicking ass. These are stories born of pain, and loss. Families separated due to nastiness, people who had to come up with absolutely BRILLIANT ways to survive in an era where they were literally nothing more than property, worth less than even horses. The strength and bravery of the people featured in these books is enough to burst your heart.
Well done, Mr. Gill. Now, where's volume 3?
Our humanity is shared through our stories, but the humanity of Black people is placed in a box labeled “Other” that we only open and admire in February. We need these stories to be a larger part of the American story so that people, all people, will realize that there isn’t just “Black History” and “White History,” but one American history, shaped by all of us.
When I read [b:Strange Fruit, Volume I: Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History|18528265|Strange Fruit, Volume I Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History|Joel Christian Gill|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391341671s/18528265.jpg|26233901] back in 2015, I said that if it weren't for the glaring lack of inclusion of women of color, the book would easily have earned 5 stars.
Well, Mr. Gill, here are your full 5 stars. You listened, and you did well. So, so well.
Everything I loved about the first volume is here. The sharp, crisp stories, the clear illustrations that combine history with pitch perfect metaphor, such as the literal crows representing Jim Crow laws. These factors combine to create compelling, unforgettable, incredibly heart breaking stories of life for slaves, and free men and women before the civil rights movement.
The first story, of free man Jourdon Anderson, is my favorite. Mr. Anderson is contacted by his former "owner", politely (no really) requesting his return to his home, with promises of good treatment. The return letter is everything. You will want to jump up and shout for joy.
Title for most bad ass person featured, however, goes to Stagecoach Mary Fields. I hope to someday be half the badass she was.
Not every story is full of joy and kicking ass. These are stories born of pain, and loss. Families separated due to nastiness, people who had to come up with absolutely BRILLIANT ways to survive in an era where they were literally nothing more than property, worth less than even horses. The strength and bravery of the people featured in these books is enough to burst your heart.
Well done, Mr. Gill. Now, where's volume 3?
geekwayne's review
5.0
'Strange Fruit, Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History' by Joel Christian Gill is a graphic novel telling about the lives of 8 African Americans that are little known or forgotten.
The book is wonderfully illustrated and tells the stories in positive ways. I learned about Jourdon Anderson, a former slave who wrote a letter to his former owner after that owner asked him to come back. Mary Fields worked hard, drank hard, and became a postal service contractor. Cathay Williams was a woman who disguised herself as a man so she could fight in the Civil War. There are others, and the stories are all just as amazing.
The art has a really wonderful quality that suits these stories. The stories told are about people who had undoubtedly rough and sad lives, but the focus is on the persistence to overcome those situations. This is a perfect collection of stories for younger readers. I've read another graphic novel by this same author, and I find his work impressive.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Fulcrum Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to read this inspiring graphic novel.
The book is wonderfully illustrated and tells the stories in positive ways. I learned about Jourdon Anderson, a former slave who wrote a letter to his former owner after that owner asked him to come back. Mary Fields worked hard, drank hard, and became a postal service contractor. Cathay Williams was a woman who disguised herself as a man so she could fight in the Civil War. There are others, and the stories are all just as amazing.
The art has a really wonderful quality that suits these stories. The stories told are about people who had undoubtedly rough and sad lives, but the focus is on the persistence to overcome those situations. This is a perfect collection of stories for younger readers. I've read another graphic novel by this same author, and I find his work impressive.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Fulcrum Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to read this inspiring graphic novel.
jwinchell's review
4.0
These biographical sketches are short but they pack a punch. Gill tells the untold stories of African American history. I was enraptured by each one. Informative and important. Black history is so much more than a month.
abbyschafer's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Joel Christian Gill’s artful storytelling makes for one of my favorite nonfiction graphic novels. Each vignette tells a compelling, true story of an important Black person in American history. I fear without Gill’s work, many of these narratives would be lost to history.
annieb123's review
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Strange Fruit, Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History is a graphic novel collection of 8 biographies from black history. Released 1st Feb 2018 by Fulcrum Press, it's 112 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
None of the 8 subjects were previously known to me and all of the stories of their lives including slavery, physical assault and abuse, danger, casual institutionalized racism and sexism left me saddened. These are stories of children, men, and women who succeeded -despite- the most daunting odds imaginable. Their lives were varied as were their talents: music, patriotism, bravery, aptitude, gender role defying, and surviving merciless exploitation.
The art, by Joel Christian Gill is clean and crisp, appealing, but unapologetic in its representation of the blatant racism and exploitation of the time (19th-20th century USA - with some of the subjects also spending time in Europe). There is no direct depiction of graphic violence in the book and it would be appropriate (perhaps contextualized by an adult/teacher) for younger readers. There were several scenes in the books which gave me chills and most of it was difficult to read emotionally. I appreciated the author's substitution of a graphic stylized "golliwog" in place of a written hurtful racial slur in the dialogue. The semiotic symbolism was just as effective (maybe more so) than writing the 'n-word' would have been. There's also an included bibliography and resource list at the end of the book for further reading.
Especially now, when the dialogue is fraught in the USA and we're being faced with deeper and more painful divisiveness in our political, social, and racial discourse, I think this is an -important- book and deserves a wider audience. This would make a superlative classroom, school, or public library book, as well as a good selection for a group read. The art alone would make it a good choice for the home library for fans of graphic novels, social/racial history, or biography.
Four and a half stars. Well worth a read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Strange Fruit, Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History is a graphic novel collection of 8 biographies from black history. Released 1st Feb 2018 by Fulcrum Press, it's 112 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
None of the 8 subjects were previously known to me and all of the stories of their lives including slavery, physical assault and abuse, danger, casual institutionalized racism and sexism left me saddened. These are stories of children, men, and women who succeeded -despite- the most daunting odds imaginable. Their lives were varied as were their talents: music, patriotism, bravery, aptitude, gender role defying, and surviving merciless exploitation.
The art, by Joel Christian Gill is clean and crisp, appealing, but unapologetic in its representation of the blatant racism and exploitation of the time (19th-20th century USA - with some of the subjects also spending time in Europe). There is no direct depiction of graphic violence in the book and it would be appropriate (perhaps contextualized by an adult/teacher) for younger readers. There were several scenes in the books which gave me chills and most of it was difficult to read emotionally. I appreciated the author's substitution of a graphic stylized "golliwog" in place of a written hurtful racial slur in the dialogue. The semiotic symbolism was just as effective (maybe more so) than writing the 'n-word' would have been. There's also an included bibliography and resource list at the end of the book for further reading.
Especially now, when the dialogue is fraught in the USA and we're being faced with deeper and more painful divisiveness in our political, social, and racial discourse, I think this is an -important- book and deserves a wider audience. This would make a superlative classroom, school, or public library book, as well as a good selection for a group read. The art alone would make it a good choice for the home library for fans of graphic novels, social/racial history, or biography.
Four and a half stars. Well worth a read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
stephisbranded's review
5.0
Gotta put Volume I on hold ASAP. This is fantastic history and a great graphic novel for kids who like fiction or nonfiction.
chelle523's review
5.0
The stories included in this book are very compelling and well told. This book (and the first volume as well) should be required reading for elementary and high school children. Too often, when we're taught Black history, we fall back on the few dozen really famous heroes and heroines, but there is so much more to draw from. In addition to the captivating storytelling, the biographies in this book are visually fascinating as well. Truly a must-read . #28daysarenotenough #NetGalley
brinnet's review
4.0
A wonderful little collection of short stories in graphic novel form about remarkable black individuals whose stories often go unheard.
There is no need to read Volume 1 first, as the stories are completely independent of one another. Quite interesting and stories you will want to retell!
If you like this book, check out Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World, which tells similarly incredible stories about uncelebrated women.
There is no need to read Volume 1 first, as the stories are completely independent of one another. Quite interesting and stories you will want to retell!
If you like this book, check out Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World, which tells similarly incredible stories about uncelebrated women.