Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel by Jesmyn Ward – An Honest Review

Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing is a beautifully written novel that captures the harsh realities of life in the Deep South. With intense and vivid storytelling, Ward explores themes of racism, family dysfunction and the power of love. The story follows Jojo and his mother Leonie as they embark on a road trip to pick up Jojo’s father from prison. Along the way, they meet various characters who teach them about resilience, courage and hope. Through these struggles, Jojo learns to accept his past and embrace his future. Filled with heart-wrenching moments and uplifting messages, Sing, Unburied, Sing is an emotionally powerful read that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.

Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel Review

Guides100 Logo
Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel is an immensely powerful and haunting novel. It follows the road trip of Jojo, a courageous and resilient 13-year-old boy, his toddler sister Kayla and their mother Leonie as they travel through Mississippi’s past and present. Along the way they encounter ghosts that haunt them from slavery to the present day.

Key Features:

  1. Heartbreakingly Beautiful: Jesmyn Ward’s writing is full of heartbreaking beauty that will leave you with tears in your eyes.
  2. Engrossing Plot: Sing, Unburied, Sing has an engrossing plot that will keep you captivated until the very end.
  3. Powerful Characters: The characters in this novel are powerful and complex, making this story all the more impactful.
  4. Award-Winning Author: Jesmyn Ward is a two-time National Book Award winner, so you know her writing is top notch!

The beauty and heartbreak of Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel, by award-winning author Jesmyn Ward, will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. Through powerful characters and an engrossing plot, this book will take you on an unforgettable journey through Mississippi’s past and present. You won’t want to miss out on this incredible story!

Product Details

 

 

    

   

    

   

 

           
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ​

    

    


​

​​

Product Details Information
Title Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel
Author Jesmyn Ward
Publication Date September 5, 2017
Publisher Scribner
ISBN-10 1501126067
ISBN-13 978-1501126065
Number of pages 304 pages
Format/Binding/Edition​ Paperback / 1st Edition (September 5, 2017)​

Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel Pros and Cons

Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel has been hailed by critics and readers alike as a powerful and emotionally charged story. It follows the lives of Jojo, a young boy trying to make sense of his family’s history, and his parents Leonie and Michael, who are struggling with their own issues.

Pros:

1) Beautifully written: Jesmyn Ward’s writing style is beautiful, poetic, and evocative. She skillfully weaves together the stories of her characters to create an unforgettable narrative.

2) Heartbreaking story: The story follows Jojo’s journey as he discovers the truth about his family and learns to accept it. It is a heartbreaking tale that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.

3) Powerful characters: The characters in this novel are complex and vivid. They each have unique stories to tell, which makes for an engaging read.

Cons:

1) Slow pacing: At times the pacing can be slow, which may not be ideal for those seeking a fast-paced read.

2) Graphic content: This book contains some graphic content that may not be suitable for all readers.
3) Not always easy to follow: The narrative jumps between various timelines and points of view, which can make it difficult to keep up with the story at times.

Who are They for

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward is an emotionally charged and deeply moving novel that explores the complexity of family relationships. Winner of the 2017 National Book Award for Fiction, this powerful story follows a family living in rural Mississippi as they grapple with their past, present and future.

The characters are brought to life through vivid descriptions and lyrical prose that highlight the complexities of race, poverty, love and death. The reader is taken on a journey as they witness the struggles of Jojo, Leonie and Richie as they try to make sense of their lives and break free from the cycles of violence and oppression that have been inflicted upon them.

Ward masterfully weaves together multiple generations to create a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. Through her captivating storytelling, she paints a heartbreaking portrait of an American family struggling against the odds to find hope and redemption.

A must-read for anyone looking for an emotional exploration of the human experience, Sing, Unburied, Sing is a powerful work that shines a light on some of our darkest corners and reaffirms our shared humanity.

My Experience for Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel

Lloyd Kaufman

I recently read Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel by Jesmyn Ward and it was one of the most powerful stories I have ever encountered. It follows the story of Jojo and his family as they travel from their home in Mississippi to the State Penitentiary in search of Jojo’s father. Along their journey, they face adversity and struggle with past demons that haunt them. Sing, Unburied, Sing is a story about hope, resilience, and redemption.

The characters are so well-developed that I felt like I was right there with them on their journey. As I read the book, I found myself relating to each character’s struggles and triumphs. It was truly an emotional rollercoaster ride!

What I also liked about this novel is how Jesmyn Ward combined elements of magical realism into the story. There were moments when the characters encountered supernatural beings or forces that added an extra element of suspense and mystery to the plot.

Overall, I highly recommend reading Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel. The story will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It’s a powerful tale that will make you reflect on your own life and appreciate every moment.

 

What I don’t Like

1. Slow-moving plot: This novel moves slowly through its story, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the entire book.
2. Graphic depictions of violence: This novel contains some graphic and disturbing scenes of violence that could be upsetting for some readers.
3. Lack of resolution: The novel does not wrap up all its loose ends, leaving the reader with unanswered questions at the end.
4. Heavy use of dialect: Dialect is used heavily throughout the text, which could make it difficult for some readers to understand what is being said.
5. Nonlinear narrative structure: The timeline jumps around, which can be confusing and disorienting to follow along with.

How to Get Lost in a Powerful Story with ‘Sing, Unburied, Sing’

Do you want to explore the depths of a powerful story? Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward is an award-winning novel that captures the struggles and joys of family life in the Deep South. Through this book, readers can experience a vivid and often heartbreaking journey full of love and loss. Here are some tips on how to get lost in this incredible story:

1. Follow the Characters Intimately

The characters in Sing, Unburied, Sing are incredibly dynamic and realistic. Ward’s writing allows readers to connect with each character emotionally. As you explore the story and its characters, try to understand their thoughts and feelings. By doing so, you will be able to follow their journeys more closely and gain a better understanding of the overall plot.

2. Learn About Life in the Deep South

The setting of Sing, Unburied, Sing is based in Mississippi during the early 2000s. This provides readers with insight into what it was like to live in the Deep South during that time period. By reading through the book, you can gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of that region.

3. Reflect on Your Own Experiences

As you read Sing, Unburied, Sing, take some time to reflect on your own life experiences. Ask yourself how they compare to those of the characters in the book and how they affect your connection with them. Doing this will help you further appreciate Ward’s work and gain a better understanding of her themes and messages.

Reading Sing, Unburied, Sing can be a deeply rewarding experience for any reader looking for an emotional exploration of family life in the Deep South. With these tips on how to get lost in this powerful story, you can have an even more meaningful reading experience.

Questions about Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel

 

What is Sing, Unburied, Sing?

Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel by Jesmyn Ward is a heartbreaking and powerful tale of love, loss, and family set in the American South. It follows the story of a Mississippi family as they navigate the joys and struggles that come with life. Through their journey they unravel secrets from the past that create an emotional landscape of grief, hope, and ultimately healing.

Who wrote Sing, Unburied, Sing?

Sing, Unburied, Sing was written by National Book Award Winner Jesmyn Ward. Her other works include Salvage the Bones and Men We Reaped.

What themes are explored in Sing, Unburied, Sing?

Themes in this novel include the bonds of family, racism and oppression in the South, and how the past shapes our present. It also touches on subjects such as love, loss, grief and hope.

Is Sing, Unburied, Sing suitable for young readers?

Due to some mature content in this novel such as violence and drug use we recommend it for readers aged 14 and up.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.

Leave a Comment