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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
Really wanted to like this. It had everything I like in historical fiction: alternating timelines, a female point of view, a very compelling era of history that all of us ought to know more about. However, I felt that Benny's character lacked depth because the author didn't give us enough of her background except for veiled references. The historical section of Hannie's adventures were hard to follow, as the author buried crucial bits of information into meandering paragraphs. Almost decided to stop reading halfway but ended up finishing it.
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-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
Honestly, I was not impressed with the white savior protagonist; the tone-deaf interpretation of her impoverished, unruly, and disinterested students; the sharecropper heroine beholden to her white and passing companions; and, so many other flagrant abuses of privilege.
No amount of perceived wokeness or allyship justifies the telling of this story from a white voice, no matter how strong the female characters are, especially for financial gain.
I do not regret reading this book as I feel it's important to read all works with a critical lens. Strictly reading "safe" books will not help us get any closer to understanding one another or our own shortcomings.
No amount of perceived wokeness or allyship justifies the telling of this story from a white voice, no matter how strong the female characters are, especially for financial gain.
I do not regret reading this book as I feel it's important to read all works with a critical lens. Strictly reading "safe" books will not help us get any closer to understanding one another or our own shortcomings.
1.5- this was almost a DNF for me. If it takes you 200 pages to connect the two perspectives in a story- just write to separate books. I also didn’t really love either story and kept forgetting g where the last perspective left off. When it finally did come together it was rushed and the last paragraph opened a whole other story that just left me like …. ?!?
informative
slow-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:
Complicated
This is an historical fiction novel based off the real newspaper articles placed by former slaves looking for family and friends after the Civil War. It is heartbreaking yet full of hope.
Definitely recommend!!
Definitely recommend!!
DNF at 22%. I loved Before We Were Yours but I found this really boring and hard to connect to the characters.
Fabulous. Using the original newspaper clippings is very powerful.