Jubilee

A Must Read!

Although I respected Alex Haley for his introduction of Roots, regardless of the shortcuts he might have taken, I came to understand very well why Walker had to sue him for similarities between her book, Jubilee, and his book, Roots and movie, Queen, for I have never read a more interesting, insightful and informative book about the American Civil War than Jubilee. Some complain about the historical information contained therein but this was all so very necessary to the understanding of that period and to the understanding of each character. Jubilee is the slaves' perspective of the Civil War it is Gone With the Wind told from the slaves' point of view. Yet, Jubilee explains the Confederacy [who can forget Big Missy trying to negotiate worthless Confederate money or the pillage and destruction of Southern households by Union soldiers?] while this book still explains every other aspect of the Civil War. I recommend this book without reservation to everyone -- those interested in the Civil War and especially to those who do not care.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Probably my all-time favorite

Like the headline says, probably one of my favorite all-time books. I felt like I had a relationship with the characters, and literally cried when it ended. Felt like a horrible break-up. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I Loved This Book!

This book is very intriguing and historically submissive.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Jubilee - Worth a read.

Jubilee starts off wonderfully, but the last two parts lose momentum. The character of Vyry is amazingly powerful, but she is almost too perfect to be real. Her optimism and willingness to move forward are commendable, but the reader is left wondering about residual anger and resentment that could understandably arise from being enslaved since childhood. The chapters are often interrupted by historical information. While this adds validity to the story, it often interrupts the action, and some of the facts are incorrect. Overall, Jubilee is worth reading. It presents a very strong female character, and strong women are typically underrepresented in novels.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

10th grader

this is a great book! it was easy to follow along with and understand. i would recommend this book to anyone

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

very boring

this is one of the most boring books I've ever read.

Jubilee!

Imagine waking up each morning, knowing that your life was not yours to live, that you were under someone else's control. Imagine waking up and knowing that you had a hard day's labor, and you weren't getting paid. Imagine if you tried to "quit" this job, you would be whipped mercilessly.

For Elvira "Vyry" Brown, this wasn't anything to imagine, it was her life. Born a slave to her white master and his black slave mistress, fate was not on her side from the get go. Oh her early life, up until age six was charmed so to speak. Her only job was to play with her half sister and keep her company. That was until she reached working age... seven! After that Vyry's place on the plantation became clear, first as a house servant, later as the head cook. The story, written by Vyry's great-granddaughter Margaret Walker, takes us from her birth, through her life as a slave, to her eventual freedom. Her path to freedom was not easy but Vyry demonstrated an unquestionable faith throughout. She also demonstrated a kind and giving heart by taking care of the very people who persecuted her throughout life.

Margaret Walker heard the story of Vyry from her grandmother, Vyry's daughter Minna. How precious the words must have seemed!! You can feel the love and admiration through each paragraph of this book. It's not just an autobiography, it a family history and it's wonderfully written. I was drawn into this book from the beginning. The way that the author described the emotions and the plantation activities was so vivid. Having read other autobiographies about this time, I found that Margaret Walker is a top storyteller in this genre. By the time I finished this book, I had no doubt about the character of Vyry Brown.

Definitely a great read for a lover of African American history, Civil War buffs, and anyone who is interested in learning more about that time frame.

Love and Blessings!
Margaret

Favorite book of all time.

I first read this book when I was a teenager. Read it again in my 30's and about to read it again, in my 50's.

The realism is palpable. Having grown up in the South, the descriptions of the weather, the outdoors, and even the food - all made sense.

I am disappointed at some of the reviewers here. Somehow, they use this book to stoke the typical anti-white hatred of so many angry blacks. History is what it is. Yes, slavery was despicable and disgusting but for the love of God, it ended 150 years ago. Fanning the flames of hatred against whites has no good future. And you can tell Al Sharpton I said so.

The Road to Freedom

I highly recommend this book. This book paints a good picture of what black folks endured before and after the civil war. This book also shows the true strength of a black women and how they are leaders. I wish not to go in details, but if you are looking for a book to read thats both educational and exciting this is the one.

This Outstanding Book!!! This Master Piece

This book is a wonderful book to people who love to read about someones life in slavery. It also tells you about how blacks have somewhat over came a lot in the past 150 years. I think this book would make a wonderful book report. I think this book will make anyone who reads it take a second look at life as we know it.

What? You haven't heard!!!

The book is about a girl named Vyry. This book is unlike most historical books about slavery. I learned so much and I am sure you will enjoy it too.

Absolutely Terrific!

This book is wonderful. I am reading it now and I am in the 9th grade. It has opened my eyes to what slavery must have been like back then. But they made it through and that was awesome! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know about African-American History and what they went through to get where they are today!

the best book of African American history

This book has changed my look on slavery. It has made me stronger. This was my fisrt time reading this book and now that I am in the 11th grade. I love this book and wish that there were more like it.

This book is for everyone

I read this book for the first time back in the 10th grade; i have been out of high school for almost 14 years. Every year during African American History month, this book comes to mind. I remember being so angry, frustrated, and overjoyed all at the same time. This book is for everyone. It let you know that strength and determination with the help of the One above, you can do anyhting. We can all have our own "jubilee".

wonderful...... everyday life of a slave

jubilee is the best book on slaver i have read. it tells about the everyday life as a slave the struggles and the joys. i have read this book twice and loved every chapter. i cant put it down.

Powerful account of slavery, freedom, survival, and fear

This is a great book if you truly want to know a small historical backround of the civil war and how this time period impacted both white and black people. It is emotional in many ways as you step through Vyry's life of hardship, fear, hope, happiness, and sadness. From reading it I have not only gained historical insight, but also learned the importance of a person's inner strength.

A Must Read For All Races Of People

This book is truly a work of pure literay art from cover to cover. So much important history is in this book for whites and blacks a like to learn from. It should be required reading for all high school and college history classes. Not just african american studies. Hopefully after reading this book of Vyry and her families struggles and inhumane treatment. African americans and all peoples a like can draw strength to persevere under any situation. And hopefully everyone can learn that ignorance breeds hatered, greed, and pure evil for another human being.

A BOOK I'LL READ OVER AND OVER AGAIN

JUBILEE IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN AT FRIST I THOUGTH IT WASNT GOING TO BE THAT GOOD BECAUSE MY TEACHER MAKES US READ NOT SO GOOD STUFF BUT I'LL SUDJUST THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE MY WHOLE CLASS LOVED IT.

Jubilee

It was an interesting book. Very historical. It was great until the third part, it started to get boring to me.

A Classic---An Antidote To Gone With The Wind

This should be required reading in a Humanities Class. for the first time we see the Civil War and slavery through the eyes of the slave and though it is a novel,it is a true story. It show the love of the slaves--black men for black women. It show the love and support of a black father for his son. It will never be made into a movie or shown as a mini-series on TV, for Its power and truth contradicts all of the stereotypes about African-Americans.