60 pages • 2 hours read
Let Us Descend
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Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
Southern United States • 1800s
2023
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward follows the journey of Annis, an enslaved woman forcibly separated from her mother and marched from the Carolinas to the markets in New Orleans. Throughout her harrowing journey and subsequent brutal enslavement on a sugar plantation, Annis finds strength, love, and ultimately the means to liberate herself. The book contains depictions of enslavement, sexual assault, racism, violence, abuse, and suicidal ideation.
Melancholic
Emotional
Dark
Mysterious
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
31,334 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward is hailed for its evocative prose and deeply resonant themes. Critics commend Ward's ability to weave complex emotional narratives that reflect on historical traumas. However, some reviews mention a slower pace and challenging structure. Overall, the novel is praised for its lyrical storytelling and powerful impact.
Who Should Read Let Us Descend?
A reader who would enjoy Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward is likely captivated by lyrical prose, complex characters, and themes of resilience and identity. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved and Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad will find a similar mix of haunting beauty and historical reflection in Ward's narrative.
31,334 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
320
Novel • Fiction
Southern United States • 1800s
2023
Adult
18+ years
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