“Lilith is born into slavery on a sugar plantation in Jamaica near the beginning of the nineteenth century. Even at her birth, the slave women around her recognize a dark power that they – and she – will come to both revere and fear. The Night Women, as they call themselves, have long been conspiring to stage a slave revolt, and as Lilith comes of age they see her as the key to their plans.”
When I started this book, I basically hated it. I hate slave narratives because it is just so wrong that it makes me feel ill and uncomfortable. It’s hard for me to believe that people could do such a thing to other people. Regardless, I persevere because it is important and I should know and anyway, I had to review this book, so I didn’t have much of a choice.
That said, the power of this book seriously grew on me as I went in. I grew to really like Lilith even though she commits the most horrible crimes; you can almost see what drives her to them. I was repelled but fascinated by the plans of the slave revolt and their interactions with each other. I almost always wanted to smack all the white people and I must admit that I was pleased when they got their comeuppance and disappointed that not all of them did. There are some seriously disturbing scenes in this book, so I don’t think it’s appropriate for everyone. It’s not that I can say this was a good book, either, because nothing to do with slavery is good. It is, however, a daring story of the life of one slave woman, the every day struggle just to get by, and ultimately a powerful tribute to impossible love and the depth of human emotion.
Buy The Book of Night Women on Amazon.
I’m always so torn by these kinds of books. It is so important to know about slavery and the Holocaust and other horrible things so that we guard against letting them happen again, but on the other hand, these events are so difficult to read about.
I love your review. I chuckled when you said “you wanted to smack off the white people.” Any book that causes emotional responses is a good one.
Kathy’s last blog post..Review: Very Valentine
I agree that these books can be tough to read, but sometimes we can learn from them.
Anna’s last blog post..THE SUBURBAN DRAGON by Garasamo Maccagnone
This is in my TBR pile, not sure I’m in any hurry to get to it. Great review, Meghan!
Carey’s last blog post..Review: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
I’ll probably be reading this one next week. I’m not a big fan of slave narratives either, for some of the same reasons you gave. I’ll be interested to see if I like this book.
Alyce’s last blog post..Book Giveaway Carnival
I have this on my pile and am moving it up now. great review!
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