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birdybird's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
1.5
This was a difficult read for many reasons. Styron is ultimately critical of slavery and the rich, white slave owners who are often depicted as foul, idiots, and/or degenerates. However, stereotypes of Black men are also ever present within the text and while some would disagree I think Styron’s own identity as a white man should be taken into consideration when approaching this text. As I continued reading I could not help but wonder how this booked appealed to authors such as James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison. The pushback is not surprising as Styron transforms a figure often positioned as a hero into a man whose masculinity is questioned and bumbles his way through the rebellion at the sight of blood. Overall, I cannot deny the literary/historical significance of the book, but that does not mean I can’t question Styron’s decision making.
noteworthy_fiction's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
1.0
ben_r's review against another edition
5.0
A must read. Styron would not be able to publish this today, not without the help of James Baldwin and he's no longer with us.
ewg109's review against another edition
3.0
Styron is an incredibly gifted storyteller but this book is so problematic for so many reasons.
mary412's review against another edition
4.0
Read this when it came out. I remember thinking I could smell blood as I read the most graphic scenes.
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
This novel puts an agonizing face on the institution of slavery and explains, from Nat Turner's perspective, the 1831 slave revolt in southeastern Virginia. I've found it hard to get this book out of my mind.
aprater's review against another edition
3.0
Given the time period in which this book was conceived is important when considering it's worth, hindsight is not always 20/20. Racially speaking, it is deplorable and definitely raises some questions about the base of humanity but I don't think we can deny that these things have been happening for centuries and if we must remember, we should remember the good, the bad, AND the ugly. I wanted to rate this book low because the topic is so painful to experience even in reading but the truth is, well written literature should make you FEEL and this is definitely in the feelings, maybe not the good ones.
jamesvw's review against another edition
2.0
I felt constantly uncomfortable reading this book - having a bit of an understanding of its controversy prior to starting (as well as the omnipresent knowledge that the author is white - which shouldn't matter to me as a reader, but cast a shadow nonetheless), I was prepared to be skeptical of my own skeptical reading experience. However, the sexual repression aspect of the character - complete with homoeroticism and rape fantasies about blondes...well, frankly it spoiled the technically well-written and smoothly flowing narrative. Stereotypes abound in the book and while, in reading some literary criticism after I finished the book, I do think his critics sometimes did go too far in tearing Styron down, I think the controversy is well warranted. A deeply troubling book - but not only because the subject matter is so heavy.