The Book of Night Women
Book - 2009
From the WINNER of the 2015 Man Booker Prize for A Brief History of Seven Killings
"An undeniable success." -- The New York Times Book Review
The Book of Night Women is a sweeping, startling novel, a true tour de force of both voice and storytelling. It is the story of Lilith, born into slavery on a Jamaican sugar plantation at the end of the eighteenth century. Even at her birth, the slave women around her recognize a dark power that they--and she--will come to both revere and fear.
The Night Women, as they call themselves, have long been plotting a slave revolt, and as Lilith comes of age and reveals the extent of her power, they see her as the key to their plans. But when she begins to understand her own feelings and desires and identity, Lilith starts to push at the edges of what is imaginable for the life of a slave woman in Jamaica, and risks becoming the conspiracy's weak link.
Lilith's story overflows with high drama and heartbreak, and life on the plantation is rife with dangerous secrets, unspoken jealousies, inhuman violence, and very human emotion--between slave and master, between slave and overseer, and among the slaves themselves. Lilith finds herself at the heart of it all. And all of it told in one of the boldest literary voices to grace the page recently--and the secret of that voice is one of the book's most intriguing mysteries.
"An undeniable success." -- The New York Times Book Review
The Book of Night Women is a sweeping, startling novel, a true tour de force of both voice and storytelling. It is the story of Lilith, born into slavery on a Jamaican sugar plantation at the end of the eighteenth century. Even at her birth, the slave women around her recognize a dark power that they--and she--will come to both revere and fear.
The Night Women, as they call themselves, have long been plotting a slave revolt, and as Lilith comes of age and reveals the extent of her power, they see her as the key to their plans. But when she begins to understand her own feelings and desires and identity, Lilith starts to push at the edges of what is imaginable for the life of a slave woman in Jamaica, and risks becoming the conspiracy's weak link.
Lilith's story overflows with high drama and heartbreak, and life on the plantation is rife with dangerous secrets, unspoken jealousies, inhuman violence, and very human emotion--between slave and master, between slave and overseer, and among the slaves themselves. Lilith finds herself at the heart of it all. And all of it told in one of the boldest literary voices to grace the page recently--and the secret of that voice is one of the book's most intriguing mysteries.
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Publisher:
New York : Penguin Group, 2009
ISBN:
9781594488573
1594488576
1594488576
Branch Call Number:
FIC James 3558ad 1
Characteristics:
417 p. ;,24 cm
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Add a CommentI enjoyed reading this book, however, it was incredibly difficult to get through some sections due to scenes of brutal torture. I actually learned some things from this book that I never learned in high school history classes. This account of slavery made my heart hurt and I had tears in my eyes. I'm sure that I misunderstood some bits of the story, too, because it is told in Jamaican broken English. If you enjoy historical fiction, it is a good read, but beware there is a lot of torture, sex and rough language.
It took a few chapters to become accustom to the character's voice, however once you're in - you're IN! As the story progressed I found that I could not put this book down. The world created is visceral & brutal, and it does not leave you once you've closed to cover.
It feels wrong to say I liked this book, but I appreciate the author telling this story in the way it was told. The story was beautifully written. It was very graphic and violent and but as described by another reader, magical.
Be careful reading this book if you have PTSD. While I am ultimately glad I read this book, I wish I had exercised the self-care not to read it when I was experiencing trauma. Bear witness to the darkness of human atrocities so that they may not be repeated in time, but be sure you have emotional supports in place to help you through it.
What a Great Book!!! Not one dull moment!!! Very Brutal but honest. From the first page I was hooked and I couldn't stop reading. I finished this book in two days.
Fair warning....very graphic and disturbing story, but an important story none-the-less. It was hard to get into because it is written the way the main character talks, but I am glad I read it.
This book was great. I've read plenty about U.S. slavery, so this book was refreshing to me because its set in Jamaica. The author's writing style was a bit off putting to me at first, but I grew to love it. Great read.
Great read! painful but magical. I have just put a hold on the CD version at VPL as I would so like to hear this read to me.
And I will be looking for more from this author - VPL has his 'John Crow's Devil'.
Great book, didn't like the sex parts much, but all in all a great read.
I got lost in this book. I read it in two days! I appreciated the many layers and meanings. Just when you think it's all darkness, Marlon surprises you with the softness of light.