| Author | Message | ||
     Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13764 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Well, I finally finished all 417 pages of "the Book of Night Women" and not only am I proud that I stuck with it but that I was also able to understand every word of its narrative inspite of the fact that it was written in a heavy West Indian dialect. I was impressed with how the author, Marlon James, immersed the reader in the slavery experience, and how he carressed the tender details of the intimate interludes and captured the chaos of the action scenes, and by what a good job he did in bringing his characters to life. Yet, I found this book unsatisfying on other levels. To me, the black heroine, Lilith, turned out to be a paper tigress, defanged by her humanity. And the slave revolt was much ado about nothing, - a big build up for a let down. The reader is stoked into a state of fiery desire for revenge only to be stifled by the reality of a lost cause. The author provides crumbs when we want the whole loaf. Still, I'd give "The Book of Night Women" 3 stars because turning out this epic was, indeed, a monumental undertaking worthy of praise. Have you finished the book, Crystal and did you like it? | ||
| Crystal Veteran Poster Username: Crystal Post Number: 496 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Can’t really say I ‘liked’ it Cynique for the same reasons you state. When I got to where I knew what would ultimately happen it pissed me off to the point I had to put the book down for a couple of days. Then I grew up and asked myself what did I expect - a happy ending slave story? But I was still disappointed. BUT he did a wonderful writing job. I don't think I've ever read a more hellishly real account of slavery and his characters did come to life for me. I even almost felt bad [not really] for Isobel stuck in her role as mistress when all she really wanted was to be the slut that she was. And that baby daddy sucka – whoa, what a contradictive mess he was! I loved Homer. The only character I couldn’t get a fix on was Lilith. She struck a wrong nerve early on and I never got past it. Maybe I’ll let it percolate and give it another go in a year or so. Anyway, I’ll be on the lookout for more from Mr. James. The man can write! | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13766 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I didn't find Lilith a particularly sympathetic character, either. I also liked Homer better. | ||
| Thumper Veteran Poster Username: Thumper Post Number: 838 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
HELLO ALL I am so pleased that Cynique read the book that now I'm going to be nice to a total stranger! *LOL* | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13774 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yes, that often happens to people who suggest I do something, especially if the suggestion is that I go jump in the lake.  |
