Reviews with content warning for Rape - I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem

Beautiful prose and lifelike characters — I was assigned this novel for a University Literature course and ended up returning to it a year later to read it outside of academic context. Tituba's character is far from perfect, but her rawness as a human draws the reader to her story and the colonial world it is told in. I found some of the themes left room for further exploration; the commentary that is made is very explicit and leaves little space for interpretation, whereas some of the more nuanced themes felt hollow at points. That being said, Condé's writing reads like butter. It's poetic and engaging, I was so engrossed and read the book in two short sittings. Would definitely recommend, especially if you are interested in witchcraft or the colonial Americas.

Content Warnings

capucapulet's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional

3.0

Content Warnings

amkclaes's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I loved this book. the story of Tituba, a woman born on a plantation in Barbados - it starts strong, she's born through the rape of her mother by the plantation owner.
Tituba's perspective is tragic, fresh, cunning... the story is so obviously horrible and full of suffering, but her pov adds so much depth and humanity to it all. i haven't read a bunch of stories set in slavery conditions, but i really appreciated that this was not trauma porn like in the least. in fact this was really masterfully done, i was totally absorbed and got through it quickly, even though i felt like the last part lagged a little, outside of that this was really a perfect novel to me.
it's funny that she references Ann Petry in the end, because as I was reading this I thought of The Street, especially the way the main character, as a black woman, provides truly intersectional analysis of the people around her, commenting on gender, class, even age, as well as race, and specifically shows the ways that we can be supported and betrayed by those with whom we find some kinship.
beyond all of that, the story is really gripping, and i love the witch parts, the supernatural elements and the relationship to the natural world, and healing, its so cool.

Content Warnings

monkai's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

12dejamoo's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I thought this was so interesting. I really liked the introduction and notes on historical accuracy because it helped me to situate Tituba in the wider story. I think the narrative itself was really fascinating but I felt it was slightly rushed. Like I just wanted a bit more time spent on each thing. Overall though I am so glad I read this and now I kind of want to read it in French to read especially the poem as well as some other parts

Content Warnings

marcostorin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

predro's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

More...