This book was just not my cup of coffee. I found the language hard to read and follow; understand that it was written in the speech used at that time. The violence and situations appalled me; I know that things like that really did happen. The writing was well done and the characters were very well done and the storyline continues at a good pace. Like I said, just not my cup of coffee for the type of story I like to read. Thought I would try it.
Aside from the vulgar and crude language of the book, I enjoyed it. The Jamaican dialect took some getting used to, but the story itself kept me enthralled. I couldn't stop reading until I learned the fate of Lilith, and how the story would end. Interesting book.
This was a very powerful novel about a slave revolt that takes place on a Jamaican sugar plantation in the late 1700s. It is told in Jamaican patois from the point of view of a group of slave women who instigate the revolt. Although at first I found the dialect of the narrative sometimes hard to follow, as the novel progressed I can see why it was written this way. It really gave a voice to the women and how slavery affected them all. It was very graphic in its descriptions of the abuse heaped onto the slaves...more so than any other novel I have ever read. It is another example of how men can heap cruelty upon others only because of race. The novel runs the gamut of emotions and shows the relationships among the slaves themselves and between slave and master. The characterizations of the women in the novel were brilliant and gave insight into the minds of how they were able to cope with slavery and cruelty.
This is really a great and powerful novel that I would highly recommend.
This is really a great and powerful novel that I would highly recommend.
This is the story of Lilith. A mulatto with green eyes born on a plantation in Jamaica to a mama who was raped at 14 by the overseer as punishment to her brother. Raised by a whore and a crazy man, all Lilith has ever wanted was to improve her status on the plantation. And maybe to understand why her green eyes seem to freak out slave and master alike. Assigned to be a house slave, Lilith finds herself in direct contact with the most powerful slave on the plantationHomer, who is in charge of the household. Homer brings her into a secret meeting of the night women in a cave on the grounds and attempts to bring Lilith into a rebellion plot, insisting upon the darkness innate in Liliths soul. But Lilith isnt really sure what exactly will get her what she truly wantsto feel safe and be with the man she cares for.
There is so much subtle commentary within this book to ponder that Im finding it difficult to unpack and lay out for you all. Part of me wants to just say, Go read this book. Just trust me on this one," but instead I'll give you a few excellent reasons to read this book:
1) This is a personal, vivid depiction of what happens when an entire society is based on greed and inequality instead of love and caring. It shows the desperation, the despair, and how nearly impossible it is to fix the situation once you're in it. No one is happy. Everyone is miserable from the master on down to the youngest slave girl.
2)Demonstrates how seeing race is a social construct.
3)Interracial love in an impossible situation that just breaks your heart.
Is this a difficult read? Yes. Is it a life-changing, thought-provoking one? Yes. I hope everyone will read it.
Check out my full review.
There is so much subtle commentary within this book to ponder that Im finding it difficult to unpack and lay out for you all. Part of me wants to just say, Go read this book. Just trust me on this one," but instead I'll give you a few excellent reasons to read this book:
1) This is a personal, vivid depiction of what happens when an entire society is based on greed and inequality instead of love and caring. It shows the desperation, the despair, and how nearly impossible it is to fix the situation once you're in it. No one is happy. Everyone is miserable from the master on down to the youngest slave girl.
2)Demonstrates how seeing race is a social construct.
3)Interracial love in an impossible situation that just breaks your heart.
Is this a difficult read? Yes. Is it a life-changing, thought-provoking one? Yes. I hope everyone will read it.
Check out my full review.
