Deepest gratitude for this story

Difficult to write about this immense book without gushing. I am a white female Scot with limited understanding of slavery and its impact on contemporary USA. After my full immersion in The Love Songs I have more compassion for and incredulity at human resilience. The storytelling is lyrical built around three dimensional characters- certainly the women- and sweeping across hundreds of years. Never losing the thread, the love.

3 people found this helpful

An extraordinary read

Despite the laborious 29+ hours read, I managed to consume it over only four days, the reason? My inability to stop listening. The realness of the various voices of all the characters and the depth of the feelings stirred up in me at the indignity of the treatment of the slaves meant I had to see it through. Then there was the humour mixed with unutterably vile descriptions of brutality of the slave master,lead me on a roller coaster of emotions I’d have preferred not to have been stirred towards,nonetheless I am grateful for the
honesty and bravery it must have taken the author to write. CH

3 people found this helpful

important story

wonderful how the history of the land is intervoven into the story.
important to think about this

2 people found this helpful

Slow burner but worth every minute

Slow burner but well worth persevering. It’s shines a light on current days issues but at the same time shows how these issues have remained consistent throughout history. Thought provoking and full of feeling.

2 people found this helpful

A must read

This book, an historical novel draws on multiple factual resources and as such a an important text for anyone wanting to understand the impact of slavery and the removal of indigenous people. You have taught me so much Ms Jeffers. Thank you.

2 people found this helpful

Wonderful

Despite its length, I raced through this. Such a beautiful story that does not shy away from harsh realities. The characters will most definitely stay with me long after I have finished this. My only critique would be that I wish the narrator for the Song chapters had read it all, as the narrator of Ailey’s chapters was very flat.

1 person found this helpful

Absolutely superb

A faultless and completely engaging story coupled with fantastic narration,the span of the story,the history and the detail made me feel so much emotion .This is one of those books that will stay with me and is the best of writing,a writer who deserves the praise 🙂

1 person found this helpful

A crucial masterpiece...

Never have I written a review, however so moved am I, by 'Love Songs of W.E.B Du Bois', I am here exclaiming how beautiful, lyrical, heartbreaking and absolutely necessary this book is. The incredible Ms. Honorée Jeffers took me to a deep dark place in history, where through bravery of the human spirit, there shone light. There was power, just waiting for it's turn to rise up, as a consequence of utter brutal abuse, cruelty & suffering. I consider myself schooled after listening to this, as I searched out the writings of W.E.B Du Bois. Which like Ms Jeffers beautiful novel, made my heart sing. So I implore anyone reading this review.... Go listen to this. Your conscience will never be the same.

1 person found this helpful

This had such an impact on me

When I was young, Roots had this massive impact on me despite being as far from that world as I could be. This book has had a similar deep impact on me, entering into my subconscious in dreams and I’m sure it will stay with me for a very long time. Powerful, important and everything a novel should be.

First time I’ve left a review but felt the need to recommend this book.

Such an interesting story. So nicely narrated. I was sad when it ended. Has certainly peaked my interest in the subject.