|
By: CHCH 545
|
2025-05-22 09:49:31 |
|
|
Book was well researched and well-written. The group was divided as some didn't enjoy the actual story. Very slow start so a couple didn't finish the book. Those that did thoroughly enjoyed it. Very thought-provoking. |
|
|
By: HAMIL 029
|
2025-05-20 11:35:09 |
|
|
We all agreed that this was a lyrically written book, though not everyone liked it. For most of us it's a very moving novel about the upheaval in the South when the slaves were freed but given no assistance in finding a way to live while angry slave owners (who were given compensation) viewed the wreck of their economy. The main characters, both black and white, are interesting and individual. It's a surprisingly optimistic novel. |
|
|
By: AUCK 100
|
2025-05-01 08:36:22 |
|
|
|
Our group enjoyed the detailed descriptions of some of the characters. This novel provided interesting insights into a period of American history that we had little knowledge of. |
|
|
By: CHCH 238
|
2025-03-19 13:08:25 |
|
|
A multilayered novel with well developed characters, and beautifully written. A big must read!! |
|
|
By: AUCK 172
|
2025-03-12 13:18:47 |
|
|
Wonderful read - excellent characters and plot. |
|
|
By: OPOTI 001
|
2025-02-20 12:24:03 |
|
|
|
Great balance between plot and character. Well-written and enjoyed by all. Promoted discussions of history of the South. |
|
|
By: NAP 023
|
2025-01-21 13:14:29 |
|
|
|
This was a beautifully written book - we all agreed that it brought home to us the plight of the emancipated. |
|
|
By: WELL 020
|
2024-12-16 14:36:05 |
|
|
|
Most really enjoyed this thought-provoking book - discussed at length. |
|
|
By: PICT 005
|
2024-09-25 11:11:52 |
|
|
|
This book brought alive a period of history, and provided important, confronting themes for discussion. We all agreed the captivating characters were finely drawn. |
|
|
By: PALMN 001
|
2024-07-22 14:04:12 |
|
|
|
A very well-written book, very believable, everyone hopes there is a sequel. The whole group enjoyed the book - " the best one we've read this year". The characters were introduced gradually so you got to know them gradually, some more than others. It was so hard for freed slaves tp survive and adapt - they had nothing. Excellent history. |
|
|
By: STEW 001
|
2024-07-10 10:05:55 |
|
|
|
Enjoyed the way the characters developed and expanded as the story progressed. Tragic events were counter balanced by the hopefulness of the ending. |
|
|
By: AUCK 014
|
2024-07-09 12:26:49 |
|
|
|
Some found the book a bit slow to start but almost all became gripped by the strong, compelling narrative that revealed itself as the story developed. Gloriously lyrical and evocative from a such a young author...with themes that are just as powerful today. |
|
|
By: RICH 005
|
2024-05-01 14:02:57 |
|
|
|
An amazing debut novel for such a young author! Two thirds of our group loved the book whilst a third found the subject matter of slavery too difficult to read about. Topics of distant marriage, race relations and tension, murder, gay romance, bullying and corruption, but above all hope, made this book hard to put down. |
|
|
By: CHCH 553
|
2024-04-07 13:04:32 |
|
|
Very varied response from our group. Some really enjoyed it and others really didn't. Lots of interesting conversation about being a first novel. Some felt there were too many themes crammed into one book. |
|
|
By: OWAKA 001
|
2024-03-04 13:00:11 |
|
|
|
Once we got into it, we universally loved this book. The writing was lyrical and compelling. After some initial worries about cliches, the characters came alive and were interesting, 3 dimensional, and open to plausible change and growth. Isabel especially. This was a vivid depiction of a point in time not usually explored in this depth. Strong issues explored through the characters, not didactic. An impressive first book. |
|
|
By: ASHB 004
|
2024-03-04 11:22:05 |
|
|
|
A pretty tough read in places! However we all enjoyed it and and had a lot of thoughtful discussion around it. Beautifully written and cleverly crafted for a debut novel. The reality of being suddenly freed, but with nowhere to go and with no resources, was so well revealed. Well rounded characters, and the various relationships were beautifully portrayed. A powerful read. |
|
|
By: OAMAR 002
|
2023-11-16 10:39:45 |
|
|
|
We loved this book! |
|
|
By: WANAK 005
|
2023-10-16 11:45:16 |
|
|
|
Everybody loved the book - a 'different' subject and excellent writer. We look forward to reading more of his books. |
|
|
By: CHCH 110
|
2023-07-19 11:05:15 |
|
|
|
It was a divided response, either strongly enjoyed or strongly disliked. Most thought it was extremely well-written for a first novel, and unusual to have such detailed writing on that specific time in history. Couldn't put it down. Negatives were that it was slow starting, hard to read, long winded in parts and too long. |
|
|
By: HURUN 001
|
2023-07-05 10:13:59 |
|
|
|
Everyone enjoyed the book immensely. |
|
|
By: AUCK 037
|
2023-06-19 14:32:11 |
|
|
|
We agreed this story was beautifully written from this first time author. We discussed racism, emancipation and justice. One member questioned Isabelle and George's decision to take in Prentiss and Landry, knowing the bigotry and disapproval in their community. An interesting insight into emancipation of slaves, and their 'owners'. |
|
|
By: WELL 183
|
2023-06-07 11:04:37 |
|
|
|
Great read, enjoyed by all. Good discussion. |
|
|
By: CHCH 544
|
2023-04-24 13:27:08 |
|
|
|
Style of writing old-fashioned but conveyed a sense of the times. Very flowery and descriptive. Learnt a lot about the history of slavery and the effect on people when this was abolished. Lots of depth and layers to the characters and the story. At times depressing and hard to get into. |
|
|
By: WELL 041
|
2023-03-22 12:55:38 |
|
|
|
A wonderful book to read. We all thought it quite amazing for a 'first' book. No holds were barred in the telling of this quite horrific story set in the dying days of the American Civil War. |
|
|
By: HAMIL 007
|
2023-01-09 10:17:17 |
|
|
|
For a number of members the book provided an insight into a period of US history they had known little about. The idea of telling a story of slaves who were suddenly freed, with no support or resources to lead a life of independence was a very strong one... We thought there were some excellent things in the book - the prose (most of the time), the characterisation, a new perspective on a period of history important in shaping the US today and some strong relationships; and it ended on a note of hope. Withal, we thought it too long and trying to do too much. |
|
|
By: CHCH 282
|
2022-12-21 12:14:29 |
|
|
|
Everyone who read the book enjoyed it, two people took it home to finish. Some were depressed and upset about the fact that nothing much has changed with the prejudices associated with religion, gender identity, class, money and race... It was a well-written book (poetic and lyrical in parts, everyone agreed) and it made it deep and intense, but very worthwhile to read. It was very real with nothing sensationalised. The book didn't seem like a novel, more of a social document which caused some discomfort to read. Average score was 4.5 stars. |
|
|
By: THAM 005
|
2022-10-03 13:14:32 |
|
|
|
A time period we had never really read or thought about before. Well written! |
|
|
By: WHANG 008
|
2022-10-03 13:02:16 |
|
|
|
Everybody was very interested in reading and learning about that time in American history. The story was gripping. |
|
|
By: MAST 003
|
2022-10-03 11:16:54 |
|
|
|
Interesting discussion engendered. Many significant themes - too many We wanted to know the significance of the 'Beast' - a range of theories were advanced, but none convinced. |
|
|
By: MAST 005
|
2022-09-21 11:39:32 |
|
|
|
Excellent book set in a very short period of history - however it was a very turbulent and violent time of reconstruction and change. Interesting characters and plot. |
|
|
By: LOWER 002
|
2022-08-18 11:21:53 |
|
|
|
All enjoyed this book for the writing, the interesting period (immediately post U.S. Civil War, and for the story. Some found the characters fascinating, while some found them a bit unlikely - but on the whole, all approved! |
|
|
By: WANAK 022
|
2022-08-16 12:53:20 |
|
|
|
Generated good discussion and is worth reading. We enjoyed the interplay of relationships. |
|
|
By: AUCK 076
|
2022-08-15 12:21:54 |
|
|
|
Many found the topic of racism confronting. Powerful read. |
|
|
By: WELL 016
|
2022-05-06 12:54:18 |
|
|
|
We all enjoyed the book bar one. |
|
|
By: AUCK 038
|
2022-03-07 11:08:16 |
|
|
|
Like reading poetry, so fabulous!! |
|
| |
