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lindseyzank's review against another edition
3.5
susanbrooks's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating fictional account of the two most important women in abolitionist Frederick Douglass' life: his black wife and his white mistress. His personal life and background was new to me. I'm intrigued by the fact that great figures in history can be so... less than great to the people in their own lives.
pennymine's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure I have much more to say about this book other than it was OK. I was a little disgusted at the two women who loved Douglass when he clearly did not love them in return. They pined for him when he was not there and worshipped him when he was. I don't know what Douglass was like in real life, but I'm afraid this book did a great deal to lower him in my estimation.
viktoriya's review against another edition
I gave all I could to finish this book. The story itself is intriguing, but the execution is bad. There are way too many better books waiting to be read to waste any more of my time trying to finish this one.
bookish_browngirl's review against another edition
5.0
Hailed as a masterpiece of historical fiction, this classic by Jewel Parker Rhodes, the bestselling author of Voodoo Dreams, examines the role of women in Frederick Douglass' life.
I enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down. I liked the writer focused on both women, but would’ve loved a chapter or two from Douglas’s perspective. The book is a reminder that despite how we put people on hero pedestals they are flawed people too, sometimes.
I enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down. I liked the writer focused on both women, but would’ve loved a chapter or two from Douglas’s perspective. The book is a reminder that despite how we put people on hero pedestals they are flawed people too, sometimes.
bookish_browngirl's review
5.0
Hailed as a masterpiece of historical fiction, this classic by Jewel Parker Rhodes, the bestselling author of Voodoo Dreams, examines the role of women in Frederick Douglass' life.
I enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down. I liked the writer focused on both women, but would’ve loved a chapter or two from Douglas’s perspective. The book is a reminder that despite how we put people on hero pedestals they are flawed people too, sometimes.
I enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down. I liked the writer focused on both women, but would’ve loved a chapter or two from Douglas’s perspective. The book is a reminder that despite how we put people on hero pedestals they are flawed people too, sometimes.
vhp's review against another edition
2.0
If you enjoy hating characters, this may be the book for you.
The story of Anna Douglass, the wife of Frederick Douglass, the abolitionsit and the story of one of his mistresses, Ottilie Assing.
I liked Anna. I disliked Ottilie, and I despised Douglass. He was portrayed as a self-centered (insert bad word), that was hungry for attention and made speeches to spread the word of what happens to slaves. It became more about him, than the cause.
If this was the goal of the author she did a phenominal job and I need to change the rating.
The story of Anna Douglass, the wife of Frederick Douglass, the abolitionsit and the story of one of his mistresses, Ottilie Assing.
I liked Anna. I disliked Ottilie, and I despised Douglass. He was portrayed as a self-centered (insert bad word), that was hungry for attention and made speeches to spread the word of what happens to slaves. It became more about him, than the cause.
If this was the goal of the author she did a phenominal job and I need to change the rating.
mochagirl's review
4.0
In her latest novel, Douglass’ Women, Jewel Parker Rhodes travels back in history to the antebellum and Civil War era to examine the loves of Frederick Douglass. She stretches the imagination by exploring the psyche of Anna, a free woman of color, who loves Douglass almost to a fault and Ottilie Assing, a European, free-spirit who is attracted to the polished and principled Douglass.
The novel, told in chronological alternating chapter format, provides the reader a glimpse into the character and upbringing of each woman. Anna is a quiet, hardworking homemaker, devoted wife and mother who clings to the belief that love conquers all. She has a strong sense of family and has witnessed unconditional love between her parents and siblings. Her one wish is to have the same love returned to her from Douglass. Unfortunately, Douglass, a self-taught ex-slave, has been elevated to a level of celebrity and lifestyle that pushes Anna to the background where she reluctantly finds comfort. While her husband is recognized as a skilled orator and accomplished author, Anna is regarded as a recluse and intentionally remains illiterate (despite Douglass’ urging otherwise) which creates an erudite chasm between them that widens as the years progress. Ottilie Assing, a genteel woman of German-Jewish ancestry, works as Douglass’ interpreter. She fills the intellectual void and accompanies Douglass on many engagements. They grow fond of each other and a lifetime love affair begins.
Rhodes writes very vividly so the reader clearly understands the similarities, differences, jealousy, envy, and anger each woman feels toward each other and Douglass. Rhodes also parallels the societal prejudices of Jews in Europe to Africans in America which justifies Ottilie’s attraction to Abolitionist views. She also subtly touches the issues surrounding interracial relationships through her character’s dialogue and thoughts. Although this is a work of historical fiction, she carefully follows the actual timeframe of events to effortlessly blend in factual people, places, and excerpts from speeches, which lends credibility to the novel. From a literary standpoint, her use of the “water-death-freedom” symbolism was handled expertly and was used as the unifying thread for both women’s tales. This reader believes that fans of Rhodes will not be disappointed; this is a good story from an accomplished author!
The novel, told in chronological alternating chapter format, provides the reader a glimpse into the character and upbringing of each woman. Anna is a quiet, hardworking homemaker, devoted wife and mother who clings to the belief that love conquers all. She has a strong sense of family and has witnessed unconditional love between her parents and siblings. Her one wish is to have the same love returned to her from Douglass. Unfortunately, Douglass, a self-taught ex-slave, has been elevated to a level of celebrity and lifestyle that pushes Anna to the background where she reluctantly finds comfort. While her husband is recognized as a skilled orator and accomplished author, Anna is regarded as a recluse and intentionally remains illiterate (despite Douglass’ urging otherwise) which creates an erudite chasm between them that widens as the years progress. Ottilie Assing, a genteel woman of German-Jewish ancestry, works as Douglass’ interpreter. She fills the intellectual void and accompanies Douglass on many engagements. They grow fond of each other and a lifetime love affair begins.
Rhodes writes very vividly so the reader clearly understands the similarities, differences, jealousy, envy, and anger each woman feels toward each other and Douglass. Rhodes also parallels the societal prejudices of Jews in Europe to Africans in America which justifies Ottilie’s attraction to Abolitionist views. She also subtly touches the issues surrounding interracial relationships through her character’s dialogue and thoughts. Although this is a work of historical fiction, she carefully follows the actual timeframe of events to effortlessly blend in factual people, places, and excerpts from speeches, which lends credibility to the novel. From a literary standpoint, her use of the “water-death-freedom” symbolism was handled expertly and was used as the unifying thread for both women’s tales. This reader believes that fans of Rhodes will not be disappointed; this is a good story from an accomplished author!
arisbookcorner's review
4.0
The author states that her goal is not to diminish Frederick Douglass with this book, only to show that he was human. She succeeds in doing just that, but I admit I lost some respect for him as a person based on how he treated both women (but especially Anna) and his children. Anna and Ottilie are so different. Anna keeps the family whole, she cleans the house, feeds the children and makes sure Frederick (or Freddy as she calls him although he doesn't always like it) feels comfortable. She is very religious and would have been content if Frederick had simply become a Preacher. Anna has no real desire to learn to read and write, she only agrees to lessons so that Freddy will stop badgering her about her inability to read but Anna ends up never becoming literate. That is part of the reason Frederick turns to Ottilie who is more of his equal intellectually. With Ottilie, Douglass (Ottilie called him Herr Douglass for awhile and then affectionately just called him Douglass) could discuss politics, literature, art, philosophy, anything that came to mind. I had a hard time understanding why Anna wouldn't want to learn to read and write but I closed this book with a better understanding of why she was happy with who she was and I admired her for her spirit. Ottilie was young, slender, blonde. Anna was older than Frederick, curvy, black. Frederick insulted Anna by having an affair with another woman but he added insult to injury by giving Ottilie a room in his home, but Anna had her own way of asserting her quiet dominance over her home. Douglass was never physical (well one time but that was the only time noted in the book) but he was self-centered and a snob (it is fascinating how once Black people reached the upper class they forgot their roots, even our great abolitionists. Mr. Douglass fought avidly to free all slaves but he did not want his children marrying former slaves). Anna's view of love made me sad "I'd let him go 'cause it was best, Best for him. Worse for me. Ain't that love?" (pg. 38), to me that is love sometimes but not ALL the time. Plus it should be mutual, Frederick never did what was worst for him but better for Anna.
In Douglass' Women the author does a skillful job of showing not just the physical differences between Anna and Ottilie but their different views on home, Douglass/Freddy and love. Neither woman is judged by the author, their stories are presented in a neutral tone, and both women have somewhat just claims on Frederick, who is both oblivious and blithely ignorant to all the pain he has caused. I like how the women never became friends, because while it is based on two very real people the author could have tried to make the story happier, instead she makes them grudgingly accepting of one another which is more authentic. The alternating points of view works well for this novel, but I do wish a timeline had been kept. I like being able to think about what other events were occurring around the world during the time this story took place (although any event pertaining to slavery was carefully noted through dialogue). I now want to know Frederick Douglass' side of the story (and to learn more about his eldest daughter, Rosetta Douglass, she seems like an exceptional woman). More than anything else this book taught me, it emphasized that love really makes no sense because although Douglass was a less than ideal family man and lover, Anna and Ottilie still loved and admired his noble bearing, his courage, and his intelligence. The funny thing is, I still do too. But they both should have left him and started a new life.
In Douglass' Women the author does a skillful job of showing not just the physical differences between Anna and Ottilie but their different views on home, Douglass/Freddy and love. Neither woman is judged by the author, their stories are presented in a neutral tone, and both women have somewhat just claims on Frederick, who is both oblivious and blithely ignorant to all the pain he has caused. I like how the women never became friends, because while it is based on two very real people the author could have tried to make the story happier, instead she makes them grudgingly accepting of one another which is more authentic. The alternating points of view works well for this novel, but I do wish a timeline had been kept. I like being able to think about what other events were occurring around the world during the time this story took place (although any event pertaining to slavery was carefully noted through dialogue). I now want to know Frederick Douglass' side of the story (and to learn more about his eldest daughter, Rosetta Douglass, she seems like an exceptional woman). More than anything else this book taught me, it emphasized that love really makes no sense because although Douglass was a less than ideal family man and lover, Anna and Ottilie still loved and admired his noble bearing, his courage, and his intelligence. The funny thing is, I still do too. But they both should have left him and started a new life.
smreyno's review against another edition
4.0
I had Jewell Parker Rhodes as a creative writing professor during my time at ASU some years back (she's great!) so I've tried to work my way through all of her books. "Douglass' Women" is one I've come back to a few times and I always breeze through it. I find it very compelling, if tragic. I don't know how true to history the characters of Anna and Ottilie are, I assume both are largely creations of the author, and I find them dynamic and frustrating heroines, each in their own way. Frederick Douglass is a remote presence by design, which I think is about the only choice you could make when writing about a figure like that. It also underlines how emotionally remote he was toward the women in his life, which the historical record has a basis for. Great men are often not good men to those who love them.