Reviews

Women of the Post by Joshunda Sanders

caryncook's review

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

trapwomanistcyborgwitch's review

4.0

World War II historical fiction usually gets a pass for me. Alas, I saw this book and the author, I pursued the description, and it looked good! An all-black women's battalion during World War I. Sign me up. I am glad to read this story because I learned a lot. The Northern US at the time seemed like the "Promised Land" compared to the hellish Southern States for African-Americans. So many traveled with the hope that things would be better, life would be more accessible, and we (including myself because I am African-American) will be finally created equal. After a few days there, black people saw that the Promised Land was a fallacy. Racism was not as blatant but it was there in New York. I was seething in anger with Judy Washington because she did all that filthy, demoralizing work only to be stolen from in the end. And these black women had to do it repeatedly at the Bronx Slave Market to earn an inhumane living. I cheered for her as she stood up for herself and joined the Army to better herself and help defend the country.
When she signed up, yes, she had other motives as well, but in taking a chance and elevating her situation, she only did not change her fiscal situation. She changed her life by being part of a sisterhood that became a positive community that supported her and helped her grow. To me, the shining plot vehicle was the centering of these relationships in a historical context. You see the good, the bad, the nuance, tears, and support. Everything. The writing is cinematic but also personal at the same time. It was very vivid. I felt everything that Joshunda Sanders was writing. Black Sisterhood and Historical Fiction are a great mix in this book! I highly recommend it. Also, I liked seeing the problematic black mom here too. I related A LOT to that. Now this playlist I had to research deeply, so I hope that everyone enjoys it. Thank you, @hearourvoicestours, for letting me participate in the tour. #WomenofThePost #hearourvoicestours

c_dmckinney's review against another edition

I don't remember where I was reading it but I can't find it anymore.

gingerinbrains's review

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

kwest823's review

adventurous challenging hopeful informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

bookishtwally's review

Just not in the mood. Interesting story but just not in the right mindset. Will reread eventually 

soojin12548's review

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

kcutchlow's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

teas_tales_toebeans's review

challenging emotional inspiring fast-paced

4.0

mylifeasjordanreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

 I loved this book! I had never head about this group of women before, and I am excited to dive into my own research. The author gave a lot of great resources to start with in her author's note.
This book starts by following Judy Washington in New York City. Her and her mother are doing back breaking labor for little to NO pay. Judy gets the chance to join the army, and she takes it with huge excitement about what she can learn about the world and what opportunities this could open up. All while this is happening, Judy's husband is also fighting in the war, but he has been too busy to write back to her. There are other great characters too, but Judy is my favorite! I loved reading about the relationship between her and her mother and I cried at almost every letter sent between the two of them. I will definitely be thinking about their relationship and their history for a long time. Now I'm going to watch the Six Triple Eight film!

Characters - 9.5/10 The relationships that developed between everybody over time, just really sets us all up to be emotionally connected to each one!
Atmosphere - 9.5/10 There were so many moments where I could feel and see and smell the scenes.

Writing - 9/10 Sometimes this can go hand in hand with atmosphere. The writing created very vivid scenes for me. On top of that, the dialogue and the letters were amazing!
Plot - 8/10 I loved getting to see the stories and lives of these women. I never would have known about this group of women without this book, and I appreciate what I have learned from it. As far as fiction goes, I think there could have been a few more exciting moments, but still overall I enjoyed the plot.
Intrigue - 8.5/10 I did find myself thinking about this book a lot when I wasn't reading it. I didn't find the book to be super bingeable or anything which is fine.
Logic - 10/10 I trust that this was very well researched, and I love that the author specified what things were based off of and what she completely made up in her author's note. The characters acted logically as well.
Enjoyment - 9/10 I just really, really liked this book. :)