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chaniii's review against another edition
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
This book is the story of the last African man sold into slavery in America, told by him and collected by Hurston before his death. He doesn't sugar coat his experiences, and in addition to white-on-black violence, there is also a lot of black-on-black violence in this book, taking place in Africa and leading up to his enslavement.dontquotekonthat's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Slavery, and Violence
debaroh's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Violence, and War
Moderate: Child death and Police brutality
ibadella's review against another edition
5.0
the combination of Kossola’s brilliant storytelling and Hurston’s compassionate approach to interviewing makes this brief read so very rich. Hurston’s ethnographic approach is thoughtful, innovative, and personal, contrasting to the salvage anthropology practiced by her contemporaries through her consideration for Kossola’s and the residents of Africatown’s wellbeing and privacy. She situates herself within the tale as an active but nonjudgemental participant, transparently admitting her personal interests, questions, and impressions. the whole book is heartily framed by essay additions which contextualize and offer discussion of the layers of understanding presented in this single story
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Slavery
snowiceblackfruit77's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Murder, and War
capp518's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Racism and Colonisation
sparklycowboy's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and War
himpersonal's review against another edition
5.0
The depth of his loneliness almost broke me, but it took me some time to get there. He’s so matter of fact in his telling, but then again, I wish I could’ve heard his actual voice. That would’ve made a huge difference in how I imbibed this book.
My only fear from this experience is that there will be others out there who read it and walk away thinking and saying, pointing to his words, that not all slave masters were horrible people. That is a lie I’d hate to see perpetuated, because no matter how kind they might’ve been, they still only had slaves because they lacked respect for the dignity of these African lives and refused them any agency.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
zoenelson's review against another edition
4.75
As readers, we confront uncomfortable truths about U.S. history and are forced to dismantle the falsehoods we've been deceived into believing. In my mind, Cudjo's story puts words and history to the collective trauma of millions of Africans forced into slavery in the U.S.
Besides Cudjo's words, I loved the editor's notes. She provided important context and a wealth of original thought to this story.
Graphic: Slavery and Trafficking
Moderate: Child death, Death, Racism, Violence, and Grief
velvetcelestial's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Violence