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A review by aoki_reads
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
5.0
This book is stunning. Magical, ancestral, powerful, and rich with black history. I would label this book as a cultural horror novella, mixed with some fantasy and historical fiction. Clark has written a genre-bender like no other, and Ring Shout is a must read.
Meet Maryse, Chef, and Sadie. Three powerhouse rifle-toting, sword-wielding, bomb-making black women who are out to destroy the KKK. You have the Ku Kluxes and the Klan, who are represented with two separate yet blended identities. The Ku Kluxes are monstrous, demonic creatures that hide underneath pointed white hoods and long, white gowns. They morph from man to colossal entities when provoked. And then you have the Klan: regular white men who are simply out to spread hatred. But the Ku Kluxes and the Klan are one in the same because both feed on hatred.
These women, they’re on a mission. Along with Nana Jean, Molly, and Maryse’s magic filled “Aunties,” they come together to fight against the KKK. Using folklore, ancestral power, ring shouts, and more… they take a stand, deciding to reap vengeance in the name of the ancestors… in the name of all our people who have suffered violently at the hands of slavery. And these women? They’re so badass.
This novella is filled with beautiful prose and authenticity. You can feel the pain, the determination, the heartache, but you can also feel the power of what it means to be black in America. What it means to find a way through darkness, and what it means to triumph no matter what pain has been endured.
The anger in this novel from Maryse is personal, and in reading this book you’ll quickly understand why. Her sword, which activates by the ring shouts of her ancestors, was given to her as a child after a traumatic experience. You feel for Maryse. Angry for her. Sad for her. But you root for her in finding her peace. Clark shows us the power of black people. Remaining victorious in times of unthinkable sorrow.
You can tell Clark wrote this novella with so much respect. From the beautiful language of black Southerners in the 30’s, to the addition of Gullah talk, pulled together with a vividly imaginative version of the Jim Crow South, you almost feel like you’ve been transported into the setting.
There’s so many important messages to pull from this story. So much richness. I recommend this novella for anyone who is willing to learn and understand the ridiculously hate-filled struggle that black people have faced.
But Clark makes sure to not just show the struggles, but again, the power of the black body. The resistance and persistence we’ve upheld.
My favorite line in the book is said by Maryse. “That’s what happens to a Ku Klux when it’s killed. Body just crumbles away, as if it don’t belong here— which I assure you it does not.” I knew after reading this that Maryse was here to destroy evil.
This book was great, an emotional rollercoaster. You’ll find a lively, powerhouse cast of characters, great descriptions, and some excellent thrills. I recommend this book to everyone who loves a strong heroine, culture, and some KKK ass-kicking. ★★★★★ stars for me!
Meet Maryse, Chef, and Sadie. Three powerhouse rifle-toting, sword-wielding, bomb-making black women who are out to destroy the KKK. You have the Ku Kluxes and the Klan, who are represented with two separate yet blended identities. The Ku Kluxes are monstrous, demonic creatures that hide underneath pointed white hoods and long, white gowns. They morph from man to colossal entities when provoked. And then you have the Klan: regular white men who are simply out to spread hatred. But the Ku Kluxes and the Klan are one in the same because both feed on hatred.
These women, they’re on a mission. Along with Nana Jean, Molly, and Maryse’s magic filled “Aunties,” they come together to fight against the KKK. Using folklore, ancestral power, ring shouts, and more… they take a stand, deciding to reap vengeance in the name of the ancestors… in the name of all our people who have suffered violently at the hands of slavery. And these women? They’re so badass.
This novella is filled with beautiful prose and authenticity. You can feel the pain, the determination, the heartache, but you can also feel the power of what it means to be black in America. What it means to find a way through darkness, and what it means to triumph no matter what pain has been endured.
The anger in this novel from Maryse is personal, and in reading this book you’ll quickly understand why. Her sword, which activates by the ring shouts of her ancestors, was given to her as a child after a traumatic experience. You feel for Maryse. Angry for her. Sad for her. But you root for her in finding her peace. Clark shows us the power of black people. Remaining victorious in times of unthinkable sorrow.
You can tell Clark wrote this novella with so much respect. From the beautiful language of black Southerners in the 30’s, to the addition of Gullah talk, pulled together with a vividly imaginative version of the Jim Crow South, you almost feel like you’ve been transported into the setting.
There’s so many important messages to pull from this story. So much richness. I recommend this novella for anyone who is willing to learn and understand the ridiculously hate-filled struggle that black people have faced.
But Clark makes sure to not just show the struggles, but again, the power of the black body. The resistance and persistence we’ve upheld.
My favorite line in the book is said by Maryse. “That’s what happens to a Ku Klux when it’s killed. Body just crumbles away, as if it don’t belong here— which I assure you it does not.” I knew after reading this that Maryse was here to destroy evil.
This book was great, an emotional rollercoaster. You’ll find a lively, powerhouse cast of characters, great descriptions, and some excellent thrills. I recommend this book to everyone who loves a strong heroine, culture, and some KKK ass-kicking. ★★★★★ stars for me!