kahsimpson 's review for:

Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen

4.0

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When I heard that Gary Paulsen wrote not one, but two slave narratives, I was not optimistic about the quality of NightJohn. However, once I completed the novel, I found myself impressed. As an outsider, Paulsen has created a narrative that stands out from others in the genre. Paulsen is able to depict not only the brutality of slavery, but also the strength of a slave community, and the resourcefulness of slaves in resisting. All of this is completed without falling into any major tropes, like the white savior, or creating any degrading stereotypes either.

My only concern still lingering after the novel has to do with the production of it, as I wonder why this story necessitated Paulsen as it's creator.