Wonderful reflections! I am currently reading The Confessions of Nat Turner as part of a deep dive through each Pulitzer Prize-winner and am finding myself in agreement with your overall assessment of the book. Thank you for sharing!
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Good to know. Definitely read the afterword. It was....insightful. I didn't mention but I also watched a few video interviews with Styron talking about the book as well. He didn't do himself any favors. Hope you have better experiences with other books off this list!
@aboutchuckb3031
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for your review. You did a great job in giving him credit where it was due and providing the context needed to understand your objections. I will not be reading this or any other work by Styron. While his other work may have some merit the afterward was enough to convince me that I would rather spend my time reading other authors.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
I agree. I was willing to give him the benefit that it was a major misstep with this book, but after the afterwords and watching some interview with him on this book and others (which I didn't even mention in the video) it's he's an absolute no for me.
@JamesRuchala
5 ай бұрын
Wow. thank you for this review! Don't think I'm in a hurry to read that book soon.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Yeah, it's not one I'd be in a hurry to buy.
@mrspiel4898
5 ай бұрын
I absolutely loved this review. You did a remarkable job reviewing this book. I actually wanted to buy this book a few months ago. I will not waste my money. Great job ! I would love more reviews on books you hate and love. lol
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Thanks! It's an enticing story that is still easy to find new and used, so I definitely thought it was worth saving people the money. I will definitely be reviewing some books that are worth reading, including (hopefully) better books to read on Nat Turner. Thanks for watching!
@jaleesaRBTBC
5 ай бұрын
Yes to more reviews! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this book. 😊
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Thanks Jaleesa!
@jamie-arbitrarydeadline2600
5 ай бұрын
OMG! Where to start. I absolutely loved your review and want to thank you for your research and eloquent, thoughtful breakdown. I also want to thank you for doing this so that I know to steer completely clear of this book - I mean opposite ends of the earth clear. Yikes! There were times during the review that felt like I was watching an SNL sketch because there couldn't possibly be a book like what you described. If only that were true, right? Then I went to look at it's rating on GoodReads 3.96 and StoryGraph 3.53 and it just makes my head hurt. Again, thank you so much for your review and your channel.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
You're so welcome. There were definitely times in reading when I thought I was just completely misunderstanding everything in the book. Then the afterword cleared it all up. I think the ratings are due to people just taking the book as it is and thinking that it's historically accurate, sadly.
@jamie-arbitrarydeadline2600
5 ай бұрын
@@noteworthyfiction That is sad for sure.
@garagegeek4863
5 ай бұрын
Thanks for this review. I read this book so long ago. I actually don’t remember much but I don’t remember liking it too much. However, I did read a few others by him and really liked them. After your review, I’d like to visit this author again, but not this novel. He definitely made a misstep here. Your take on the afterward is hilarious!
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Makes sense. He is a good writer, so I can understand wanting to read more of him. This was my introduction to him, however, so I don't think I'll be seeking him out. Either way Happy Reading!
@booksgurrsandpurrs
5 ай бұрын
Nicole, I'm horrified. 10:30 took me out. Thank you for your review. This book put you through it. OMG, I remember you chatting on Nkechi 's sprint about this book. This is the author that was friends with James Baldwin?! 🤯
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
You were there when it started, but I made it through.
@lefttoread
5 ай бұрын
This was such a great review! Funny how you stated later on that it felt like you were reading more about William Styron than Nat Turner because as you were describing the book early on in the review I was thinking it sounded exactly like that's what he'd done! 🤣 Well done on articulating your thoughts so well, I'd love to watch more reviews from you & thank you for the research and time you put into all of this! ♥
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Thank you! It definitely felt like he was writing out his own experiences, but either way he was definitely using HIS imagination. I will do more reviews and hopefully of books I love!
@1timbarrett
3 ай бұрын
The sign of a good book review is that the audience wants to read the book for themselves. I can’t wait…! 👏 🙏 😘
@noteworthyfiction
3 ай бұрын
Definitely let me know your thoughts. I was disappointed, clearly, but I agree that everyone needs to make their own opinions on books.
@karenbird6727
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for this review. As others have said, I look forward to listening to more of your reviews!
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Thank you. I appreciate the encouragement.
@BookZealots
5 ай бұрын
Ugh. I'm so sorry the book was so bad. But I also thank you for taking one for the team and saving the rest of us from wasting time hating it too. I had added it to my goodreads when you first mentioned, but now I have removed it. You have mentioned enough things that I know I would not like this book. It sounds like a book I would throw across the room.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
lol. The number of people throwing this book is steadily increasing. There were quite a few people who mentioned wanting to read this after I first mentioned it, so I thought it only fair to go into detail about what to expect.
@BookZealots
5 ай бұрын
@@noteworthyfiction Thank you for that. It is greatly appreciated. I cannot tell you how many times people rave about a review and then later say "I don't know why I gave it five stars. I guess it was just the hype." I like when readers think for themselves. Again, thank you! 👍👍
@jamiebbooks
5 ай бұрын
I have that book on my shelves somewhere. So, I'll probably read it eventually. I have several favorite books in mind that you should read when you run out of ideas for what to read(of course). #1 on my list is Simple Prayers, by Michael Golding (magical realism/historical fiction). $s is Without You There Is No Us, by Suki Kim(memoir about teaching English in N.Korea).
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts when you read it.
@paulinelafford4773
5 ай бұрын
Great review. Thank you.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
@phyllisdrhodes
5 ай бұрын
Great review. I read the book years ago and can't recall details, but remember being underwhelmed, as you were. Your thoughts and rational were well said and I look forward to more of your videos on literature.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Thank you so much. I'm glad I took the time to research this more. I can't imagine how many people have read this, felt overwhelmed, and worse than that ended up with a gross and (likely) wrong impression of the actual man and events. I hope we all find better books to read.
@sharonlarson5331
5 ай бұрын
Thanks for the review; now I won't waste my time reading The Confession.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
I hope to find some better recommendations.
@marsh.mellowcheekss9786
5 ай бұрын
If funny how he labelled his racism as a special category which he explained as being a good kind of racism ... I am hearing about this book for the first time and did enjoy your review ❤
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Thanks! I'd never heard of this book before either. And yeah, his perspectives were "special" for sure.
@amyschmelzer6445
5 ай бұрын
Wow, that afterword. I spent my teen years in the Tidewater area and I’m white, but I just don’t have words. Sometimes it is just better to keep your mouth shut.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Yes, that afterword took the whole thing and just dragged it through the mud for me. It seems he had a flare for just making all-encompassing racial stereotypes of everyone, including people he grew up with. Trust me, he did not paint people from that area in any kind light. May we find better books to represent all of us in better and, more importantly, true light.
@stayathomereader
5 ай бұрын
that afterword. WHAT?! i mean the whole thing sounds pretty sketchy, but the afterword is just the cherry on top.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Yes, it was. It was a struggle to read but the afterword should really be at the beginning so you know what you're getting into and don't waste your time.
@natturnahh8921
4 ай бұрын
Still , at my older age , I struggle with rushing to judgement... at first I " disliked " this video , after hearing ur preface. After about halfway through I changed my position and I felt a large amount of embarrassment.... Great review, I hope your channel blows up n you receive the recognition that you deserve ..
@natturnahh8921
4 ай бұрын
I did read MOST of the book btw, but it was a long time ago . I use Nat as a pseudonym because I grew up in a very white/affluent area n feel a dark , somewhat morose connection with his ultimate attitude towards many of our lifes major antagonists ,; bigots ....
@noteworthyfiction
4 ай бұрын
Wow. Thank you so much. This really means a lot, especially since you have such a strong connection with the character and book. Thanks for watching and, more importantly, thanks for watching it all the way through.
@heatherboo1
5 ай бұрын
Omigosh, I was laughing during some of your descriptions (dare I mention thighs 😂). This book sounds heinous. I’m going to easily pass on reading it, and I thank you for your honest review. ❤❤❤
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Could you tell I was traumatized. I'll be so glad to never talk about this book again. This video was theraputic.
@lkr9892
20 күн бұрын
I quite literally found this book laying on the ground 😂 i dont know if i should read it
@noteworthyfiction
19 күн бұрын
Run!! Some one drop it and it says something that they never came back for it. 😂
@jaleesaRBTBC
5 ай бұрын
😂 it sounds like the author thinks about black people all the time. Otherwise, what was the purpose of this book? All of the self-insertion under the guise of Nat Turner is wild. 💀 That afterword would have had me throwing the book across the room. “Special Racist” my butt. 🤦🏾♀️ Delusional. 😩 James Baldwin as his black friend is the excuse for this? Thank you for taking one for the team, Nicole. 👏🏾 Excellent review and research.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Thanks Jaleesa. It was definitely a moment to remember when I read that afterword. My husband got to see my reaction in realtime.
@markofday
16 күн бұрын
IMO Nat's original "confession" was severely and totally altered in places to fit whomever's preferred outlook Same problem with "Black Elk Speaks"
@noteworthyfiction
16 күн бұрын
I agree that even the original confession is suspect based on knowledge of the times. All the more reason not to use it to jump off into even crazy places. Thanks for watching!
@ttowntrekker5174
5 ай бұрын
I'm so glad to hear your thoughts. I'm reading the Pulitzer winners and finalist (I find interesting) and this was on my TBR. I don't know what research was available in the mid 60's but it's obvious to me the author creates a Nat Turner built on the prejudices and pure stereotypes whites had of blacks back in the day. IE Turners obsession with white women's thighs (you made me snort my sweet tea on that LOL!) The reality is that women's fashion of the early 19th century would be hoop and full long skirts. Neither allowing slaves to see their thighs. Also, I wonder about the confession. Most slaves couldn't yet read or write at that time so who knows what was actually said or made up to cement a conviction. And on and on. Again, so glad you convinced me to pass on this work of fiction! 😊
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Glad to help. There are way better books to read on Nat Turner and maybe someone will write a fictional account on him worth reading. There is so much more I had to say about issues in this book, but I'll leave that to the Black Writers who already responded (that book is excellent so far). Regarding the actual confession, Nat could read and write, however it's a recorded confession by a man paid by the court for use by the prosecution against a black slave who killed white slave owners. What else needs to be said regarding how much faith we can put in the document as a whole? Hope you enjoy and find other Pulitzer's worth reading!
@Sandraugiga
5 ай бұрын
Yikes, and this was written by the same author as Sophie’s choice? -no words-
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
I know!! I was shocked. I recall reading Sophie's Choice back in high school and was considering a reread, but that afterwords convinced me it's not just a 1 book misstep. No more of my money is going toward his writing.
@kellyjhardesty2987
5 ай бұрын
Great video, Nicole. As bad as this book is (and it sounds SO bad!), I do love a good ‘book project’… So thanks for going down this rabbit hole and sharing what you found with us! What’s particularly disturbing is how this novel is from 1967, but its ideas sound like 1867! I was recently researching Ida B Wells and she talked about the “convenient myth” that Black men were so sexually obsessed with white women that they would regularly accost them-what she called “the old threadbare lie that negro men rape white women.” Which was then used as “an excuse to get rid of Negroes who were acquiring wealth and property.” And Wells wrote this in 1892! William Styron has no excuse for his ignorance some 75 years later. Random aside here: Why do all these guys’ names sound so much alike? I was getting William Styron mixed up with William Saroyan-who sounds a whole lot like William Stevenson. Or Wallace Stevens. Or Wallace Stegner! (All 5 were popular writers in the 1950s…)
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
I think that's what shocked me about the book. It perpetuated that myth from the "all black people think about white people all the time" to having the protagonist regular imagining himself sexually assualting white women (something I didn't discuss at length in the video because youtube). I stuck with it, however, because it was disturbing enough (and still sold in stores) that people need to know the truth before they buy.
@kellyjhardesty2987
5 ай бұрын
@@noteworthyfiction Like @BookZealots said in their comment, you REALLY took one for the team with this one, Nicole. 💜
@kellyjhardesty2987
5 ай бұрын
@@noteworthyfiction I was thinking more about what you said. I’m guessing it must have been a process-well, I know editing is always a process, but more so maybe with this one-about just how much to say about racism…ignorance…sexism even, on the part of this author. Again, I admire your courage in taking this on, Nicole. So thank you.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Yes, figuring out what to say, how to say it, and what I'd be allowed to say was definitely a huge part of this project. (I also enjoy a project). Case in point, your last comment was actually held for review! (Clearly I released it). So, I definitely tried to explain enough about the issues without crossing the delicate line! Thanks for the feedback!
@awebofstories
5 ай бұрын
First of all, this is a great negative review! Secondly, I'm sitting here and shaking my head over Styron AND his 25th Anniversary essay. On one hand, really???? Secondly, what editor let that see print? Not that it excuses Styron or shifts blame, but I would think a publishing house would be concerned enough about their own reputation to nix that. I'm pretty sure at this point that I will never read a Styron book...but I still really enjoyed your thoughts on this.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Thank you! It is interesting to consider the publisher. That said, it was a best seller, pulitzer prize winning, Book of the Month Club pick. Just shows that sometimes it's more about what's selling than what's good.
@lyddie8
5 ай бұрын
Before you got to the part in this video where you talk about his rebuttal to criticism I thought that his perception had to be that the only reason for Turner to revolt would be that he was a sexually repressed homicidal deviant. And he admitted that was the case. 🤦🏻♀️ I won’t be reading this but thank you for letting us know what the book was about.
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
I was hoping that I had misunderstood his perception, but there was no doubt that he intended to write a book about a frustrated crazed deviant. I just can't!
@StormReads
5 ай бұрын
I love how well you did this review. Sounds like a horrible book. I like your reviews, you should do more!
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
Thanks! I think I will!
@TheBookHerm
5 ай бұрын
I feel so bad for him that he didn't have enough access to whit women thighs..... nnooooooottttttt!
@noteworthyfiction
5 ай бұрын
There's just no understanding how the author thought that idea would work or why he'd add that in.
@Mah_Sh_ell
4 ай бұрын
I’m gonna order this today… thank you for this review 📚🫡
@noteworthyfiction
4 ай бұрын
You're welcome. Hopefully it gives you a better idea of what you'll read.
@Mah_Sh_ell
4 ай бұрын
@@noteworthyfiction I actually want to read it to compare it to the movie, the way you explain it, giiiiiirl… the author has a deep bias which probably was his mission so the Nat’s history can be tainted… Idk you said you wanted your money back so I bought it used… 🤣
@noteworthyfiction
4 ай бұрын
@@Mah_Sh_ell yeah. I might have even suggested library so you can give it back. I think the more recent movie is supposed to be more accurate. I don't quite recall. Definitely interested to hear your thoughts!
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