Copper Sun (Book Review)

Amari is just fifteen when strange men appear in her village. They do not look like any people she’s ever seen. Their skin is pale, nearly white, they carry strange sticks and speak a language unlike those she has ever heard. Amari is first weary of these men but soon welcomes them with open arms like her fellow villagers, seeing as they are accompanied by neighboring tribesmen.

A night of celebration soon turns into one of anguish as the visitors wreak havoc on Amari’s village. Murdering many and keeping only those they see as able-bodied, Amari finds herself taken aboard on a slave ship heading to the Carolinas. There, she is sold as a birthday present for her new “master’s” sixteen-year-old son.

Polly is an indentured servant, hardened through a past of toil. She is working a fourteen year long contract to pay off the debts of her parents. She has a disdain for slaves, but eventually through shared struggle, Polly and Amari build a friendship centered around the hope of one thing… freedom.

I enjoyed reading Copper Sun. It was an honest take on slavery and incredibly moving. Draper even includes a list of the resources she used in writing this book. All in all, I loved it.

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Things Fall Apart (Book Review)

The storyline of Things Fall Apart follows Okonkwo, a self-made man who has had to work past his father’s weakness to prove his own strength. Okonkwo has fought for the position and high titles he holds, until one fateful incident brings his rank to an end. This, along with the introduction of colonialism from an African viewpoint, makes for an enriching story.

This past year, I’ve strayed from my previous dystopian and mystery books in pursuit of more black-authored novels. Things Fall Apart did not disappoint in this regard. It brought a fresh new look to the “savagery” of African life. Instead of bypassing topics like religion and gender roles, the novel dove headfirst, explaining rituals and ceremonies, as well as a contrasting perspective of Christianity. This book really brought forth questions and curiosities I had never pondered before. All in all, I loved Things Fall Apart.

Side Note: I will be participating in the Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention. If anyone would like to donate to this amazing organization, please click the link below, it would mean so much!

https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.participant&participantID=1075926