The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Novel

A real review would take many pages. But in short, this story helps recapture the history of a piece of the land in a place (now called Georgia) by tracing the heritage of one young woman. It was enthralling and devastating. There is a significant amount of child sexual abuse - I wonder if that was partially to give any reader the same feeling of revulsion that the main character feels when researching the history of slavery. I was left feeling like I had a better understanding of the full atrocity of slavery (not that I didn’t know that it was horrific and barbaric, but now I also felt it in my heart and soul in a new way). A powerful testament to the strength it takes to survive adversity. Also a very interesting meditation on the way people interpret skin color to have some deeper meaning.

*****I have just begun to read this book today--when it arrived--and wanted to address the quality of the book and the deckle edge. Many people are "reviewing" this wonderful novel by rating it low and complaining about "the poor quality" of the book and the paper, stating that they've never seen anything like it before.The book is simply produced with a "deckle edge", which is a rough, untidy, rugged edge. Many books, both hardback and paperback, of today and of years ago, are made with this type of page edge on the right and left edges of the book. I am guessing that the critics have not seen this before. It is not the prettiest deckle, as I think it is a little tiny bit rough, but if so many people hadn't complained, I'd never have noticed it. It looks like it was intended to be that way. I personally love a deckle edge like this.The paper quality is wonderful and doesn't feather or bleed through when highlighted or underlined in regular ballpoint pen.I do think that it is as nice as any other hardback I've purchased, and not defective or inferior!I have only begun to read this, and will edit this "review" with an actual review of the novel later when I finish it. I just didn't think it fair to this marvelously talented author that people look at the reviews (of which there are 14 as of the time of this writing) and see extremely low reviews--when there are just simply quite a few people unfamiliar with both deckle edges and the evaluation of paper quality!Also, all of the pagination seems fine. It appears that some people are believing that they are experiencing rather strange problems. This appears to me to be a fine hardback book, and actually quite a good value considering the number of pages and the quality of the writing so far.UPDATE: 10 days later...*****The first thing I want to recommend about this book is that people purchase the hardback version. The reason is that in the process of learning about all of the characters here, the reader keeps referring back to the genealogy of the ancestors in the front of the book. So many times. I know this sounds like a huge hassle, but it is NOT—it is a part of understanding a whole community of ancestors, and it is necessary to really understand the many, many facets of their story.Also I looked back again and again at the chapters in the table of contents that were flashbacks in time for reference. Of course you can do this with an e-reader but it is much more cumbersome. This is a precious story, one that I will read and re-read, and it is one that I keep notes in and want to refer back to. I know that this can be done as well with a Kindle, but it is different, and I strongly prefer a physical hardback book. Think of your favorite book ever, and if you want that to be in a hardback form, you want this one to be the same.I read this book in ten days and it was a beautiful adventure, one that I wished would never end. It is the story of not just of a woman (though it is that too), but the story of a people—all of the main character’s ancestors too. All those who came before her. The main character’s story cannot be understood apart from them. In reading this story, I came to experience this in a very profound way—how we are all connected to those who came before us, and how they all are a very real part of us now. Of course, I would have said that I recognized this before I read the book, but now I understand this in a really visceral way as well.This book is a portal into seeing a part of a people’s experience that I could not experience any other way. Not just African Americans, but Native Americans and White people too, in a way that is raw and real and impactful, because of the pain, cruelty, humanness, kindness, and familial love that permeates this novel.I want to give a trigger warning as this book reflects the reality of harsh living in the early part of our country’s history, including stories of abuse and violations of all types. None of it is gratuitous though, and much of the details are left to the imagination, expressed as people of that time would if they were sharing it with others.The novel takes place for the most part in Chicasetta, Georgia, and follows many generations of the people who lived there. It is inclusive in that it enables the readers to witness the thoughts, decisions, and justifications of many loving actions and even more horrendous and grotesque actions. In other words, it is a human experience for this time in history. I felt like I entered into a place that would be closed off to me because of time, race, and geography. I felt privileged to hear these precious stories. Even though this is fiction, I do think that the stories are familiar and common to so many families of that time. And to those alive now, too.I just finished now this book and am so sad to leave these characters behind. I cannot imagine anyone regretting purchasing this book, and investing hours in reading it, gaining the privilege of participating in a world view that this so comprehensive that they’d never be invited it into otherwise. I feel like I’ve had a vital glimpse into what Black people and Native Americans have experienced, and White people too—one that I could gain in no other way.Highest recommendation, one of my favorite books, ever.*****

The book's format of past, present shows how the past is never past.The characters are developed, show growth, realistic to era.The incest/rape scenes were quite difficult to read: author takes you in the pain, almost smother with someone on you. Unfortunately, this horror was passed to next generation: hurt people hurt people.There is hope at end...church becomes an historical landmark.

Everyone should read but most definitely my people (black, African American). This book had so many triggers, black trauma and drama. People need to read this with an open mind and to truly understand people need to be able to put themselves in one’s shoes. This was written so well with so much detail and depth. Points of view was given because the hurt in one’s life needed to be talked about.Uncle Root was amazing! Everyone needs an uncle like him. Ailey was my girl but boy did i get upset with her at one point that i had to press pause. I cried and wanted to save her. Really i wanted to go back and save younger me. If her father knew what his dad was doing to his daughters he would of taken that man out. That damn grandma and maid they knew what he was doing. I wish women would stand together! Like why not help save someone that i ms so innocent? People are out here hurting people of all ages changing their life and don’t give a damn.There is so much to be talked about. This book is so good. No disrespect, being an African American woman this hits hard. All of it does. The pain is still there because people keep repeating history instead of being happy. Scooter and Rebecca is a prime example of how black man want white women at the expense of disrespecting black women. Like love who you want without the extra. I wish Ailey never let some of these use her like that but hell we all have to live and learn.Without getting too much in my feelings but who are the real animals/ monsters? Because Samuel displayed just that. A sick piece of you know what. Read or listen but most of learn and be a better person after you do.

This book is literally one of my favorite books that I’ve read in life. My favorite authors are Toni Morrison and bell hooks, but Ms. Jeffers ain’t far behind them. I felt every emotion throughout the pages: pride, joy, sadness, anger, frustration, happiness. The stories of Ms. Ailey Pearl Garfield and her ancestors should be considered those of national treasures - especially Uncle Root. If you know anything about Booker T. Washington or Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, I promise you will appreciate this book even further. I’m saddened that the author won’t be writing any more novels because her writing was simply magnificent. Yes, it’s long, but this is a page turner off rip. It’s triggering at multiple points, too, so please make sure your support system is readily available and functioning. Beautifully written.

Un libro de ficción histórica donde vamos a conocer a Ailey y sus ancestros.El libro está contado en dos tiempos y a lo largo de la historia vamos brincando del pasado al presente.Un libro con temas de racismo, esclavitud, abuso y feminismo.¡Muchos personajes!

Showed the historical aspect of the white man taking from the Indigenous people and their treatment of African Americans. Also the importance of the colour of one's skin! Excellently tied the past to the present through flashback chapters!

I know this book will stay with me. Somehow the author managed to weave the story of centuries (mostly women's) American history into this incredible novel. It was long but utterly worth it.

Ein 800 Seiten starker Roman, der viel zu kurz ist. Ich hätte gerne noch weitergelesen.

Books with a hefty page count have a very daunting task. They have to be brilliant and keep your undivided attention or be mediocre. Jeffers manages to keep you engaged page after page with her beautifully written characters. This is historical fiction at its best. The impact of the brutal exploitation of the native Indians and the black people on the mindsets of the current generation is well documented. It is not a easy task to write a synopsis of this book as there are several characters. At times it got confusing for me and I had to keep going to and fro between the pages. Though the cast of characters is giving before the first chapter I would suggest making your own notes or chart them out according to your sensibilities.Do not be daunted by its size, take a deep breath and dive in!