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A review by fareehareads
Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Rebecca Hall
5.0
Dr. Rebecca Hall wrote this comic along with illustrator Hugo Martinez as part memoir, part historical fiction. It is perfect for fans of fans of The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Parable of the Sower (the graphic novel edition), Maus by Art Spiegelman, or even Hot Comb by Ebony Flowers.
We follow Dr. Hall, a historian that is researching the often lost parts of the transatlantic slave trade: revolts. Her research takes her to different cities across the country and to Europe and as she follows threads across archived court documents and cases with details about women who lead revolts on slave ships. Most of them would be a footnote or referenced once then never again. Dr. Hall uses this research to create a story of two women who may have lead one of these revolts.
Since this was a Black historian's perspective, a lot of the comic would show just how painful it was to read some of the records. At a certain point, Dr. Hall's character in the story takes a break from reading about this dehumanizing system that persisted for so many years. It becomes clear that certain aspects of the history are not just erased, they're told in a way that intentionally hides information, especially on the topic of revolution.
This type of work is essential in a world that still has a prison industrial system and is constantly reshaping US history in early education every year. If we don't know the history of revolution during the transatlantic slave trade, many of which were started by women according to Dr. Hall's conclusions, then how can we fight against today's oppression fully? Lost histories don't contain all the answers, but they certainly show patterns.
The comic was packed with research, was very accessible, and was just compelling storytelling. I read it all in just one sitting. I need every single person with even a remote interest in US history to read this! Easily a 5 star read.
We follow Dr. Hall, a historian that is researching the often lost parts of the transatlantic slave trade: revolts. Her research takes her to different cities across the country and to Europe and as she follows threads across archived court documents and cases with details about women who lead revolts on slave ships. Most of them would be a footnote or referenced once then never again. Dr. Hall uses this research to create a story of two women who may have lead one of these revolts.
Since this was a Black historian's perspective, a lot of the comic would show just how painful it was to read some of the records. At a certain point, Dr. Hall's character in the story takes a break from reading about this dehumanizing system that persisted for so many years. It becomes clear that certain aspects of the history are not just erased, they're told in a way that intentionally hides information, especially on the topic of revolution.
This type of work is essential in a world that still has a prison industrial system and is constantly reshaping US history in early education every year. If we don't know the history of revolution during the transatlantic slave trade, many of which were started by women according to Dr. Hall's conclusions, then how can we fight against today's oppression fully? Lost histories don't contain all the answers, but they certainly show patterns.
The comic was packed with research, was very accessible, and was just compelling storytelling. I read it all in just one sitting. I need every single person with even a remote interest in US history to read this! Easily a 5 star read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Rape