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A review by twiinklex
Journey Back to Freedom: The Olaudah Equiano Story by Catherine Johnson
3.0
I wanted to love this more but was left with mixed feelings.
It was no doubt an informative and illuminating read since I did not know who Olaudah Equiano was at first, so thank you for that. The book draws attention to an important part of history when Africans were kidnapped and enslaved as well as the cruelty they were forced to endure. It doesn't hold back in the unsavoury details but was not overly descriptive either, so I find the balance to be appropriate for the book's intended audience.
The story is told through Olaudah Equiano's perspective as imagined by the author, which is where things get tricky for me. Despite his circumstances, Equiano seems to view many things with awe and boylike wonder e.g. his eagerness for "battle". Perhaps it was to show the protagonist's child-like innocence or his little moments of reprieve, and while I'm glad this book isn't 'trauma porn', the overall vibe felt weird to me.
The fact that Equiano is a flawed and complicated character is further evident in how he apparently went on to manage/own slaves. The author's note states: "He was against slavery, but he enslaved and exploited other people to gain his freedom." I would have liked to see such complexities reflected in the story and Equiano as a character.
Overall, this is an interesting read that's suitable for younger/reluctant readers. Not only does the book shed light on an abhorrent time in history, it also made me want to learn more about Olaudah Equiano.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
It was no doubt an informative and illuminating read since I did not know who Olaudah Equiano was at first, so thank you for that. The book draws attention to an important part of history when Africans were kidnapped and enslaved as well as the cruelty they were forced to endure. It doesn't hold back in the unsavoury details but was not overly descriptive either, so I find the balance to be appropriate for the book's intended audience.
The story is told through Olaudah Equiano's perspective as imagined by the author, which is where things get tricky for me. Despite his circumstances, Equiano seems to view many things with awe and boylike wonder e.g. his eagerness for "battle". Perhaps it was to show the protagonist's child-like innocence or his little moments of reprieve, and while I'm glad this book isn't 'trauma porn', the overall vibe felt weird to me.
The fact that Equiano is a flawed and complicated character is further evident in how he apparently went on to manage/own slaves. The author's note states: "He was against slavery, but he enslaved and exploited other people to gain his freedom." I would have liked to see such complexities reflected in the story and Equiano as a character.
Overall, this is an interesting read that's suitable for younger/reluctant readers. Not only does the book shed light on an abhorrent time in history, it also made me want to learn more about Olaudah Equiano.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.