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A review by homosexual
Iola Leroy by Frances E.W. Harper
3.0
My Booktube
Link to the Reading Black Classics Vlog
TW/CW: slavery, antisemitism (there is one line that MIGHT be considered this, but I’m putting it anyways just in case) , n word usage
3/5. This is a book where I think I’ll either love it or hate it more on a re-read. The bouncing timeline that happens early on made me feel disoriented, and even then I was more invested in Iola as a character. While she does regain some level of focus towards the end, we spend too long (imo), away from her POV.
The second half was more engaging than the first half. But I will also say that since this novel is VERY dialogue heavy that it was hard to feel a sense of place. However that could be intentional and a technique the author was using.
This book does get very… preachy with its temperance themes. Sometimes it really does feel like the characters have turned to the camera and are critiquing you. So much so that it got to the point where I was taken out of the story.
I did like this book, but I feel like it is more so a product of its time than others. Would still recommend though.
Link to the Reading Black Classics Vlog
TW/CW: slavery, antisemitism (there is one line that MIGHT be considered this, but I’m putting it anyways just in case) , n word usage
3/5. This is a book where I think I’ll either love it or hate it more on a re-read. The bouncing timeline that happens early on made me feel disoriented, and even then I was more invested in Iola as a character. While she does regain some level of focus towards the end, we spend too long (imo), away from her POV.
The second half was more engaging than the first half. But I will also say that since this novel is VERY dialogue heavy that it was hard to feel a sense of place. However that could be intentional and a technique the author was using.
This book does get very… preachy with its temperance themes. Sometimes it really does feel like the characters have turned to the camera and are critiquing you. So much so that it got to the point where I was taken out of the story.
I did like this book, but I feel like it is more so a product of its time than others. Would still recommend though.