One of the best reads ever

Considering that this book was promoted as the work of an anthropologist, it was difficult to look past the depiction of a man supposedly from western Benin, and the tribal warfare of the "uncivilized, savage, heathen Africans" in that region. It was brazenly inauthentic, not only with the conflation of Yoruba, Efik, and Sahelian cultures, but also with the characterization of inter-tribal conflicts. West africa is so big that the broad brush used to describe the area just seemed careless. The account was so inauthentic, that I couldn't help but question the true intention of this body of work. Also, I found it a bit odd that although this book was the meant to be the account of an enslaved African, it spent no more than a few pages on the actual experience of slavery. I don't know, I almost felt that the author characterized slavery as better than life in Africa. Also, there was a lot of time spent illustrating this divide between Africans and African Americans. Perhaps this is why African American authors, who were held in high regards in the society, were all united behind denouncing this book for fear of it being used by whites to sow discord at a time when blacks were treated horribly. Cudjo's story had been told to various other authors and I'm keen to read those depictions. Maybe in attempting to make his story more dramatic Hurston added these contradictions that undermines a potentially important piece of history.

I listened on audio and enjoyed it. Whether there are contradictions or not, I am glad that it was released. I think the book will go down in history as more positive than negative.

I’ve been excited about reading this, but have to admit the reviews have me a little hesitant. I’ll still pick it up, but I also plan to read, “Dreams if Africa in Alabama: The Slave Ship Clotilda and the Story of the Last Africans Brought to America.” It will be interesting to see how they compare.

Thank you

Good review. I’m interested in reading that book. Our book just read a book about Zora and Langston Hughes.

Does anyone know who the viking editor was who denied and erased Zora Neale Hurston's original manuscript?

Oh course he remembers. Huh? What make him do unique is someone wrote it down.

Time to connect to the root - Yoruba land and Africa as a whole.

I appreciate all the thoughtful questions and challenges. I also read that Hurston plagiarized some of the text, but I wasn’t aware of the contradictions with language and his origins. I agree his story has merit in its own right but it is hard to reconcile pieces.

You should listen to Zora Neale Hurston's recount of photographing a real life Zombie. It's here on KZfaq. She was a fascinating woman ;)

He was taken from his home, by who exactly?

This is the only subject that matters. Science, current events, the threat of nuclear war - none of these things are as REMOTELY important as long-dead slaves.

the eyes are watcthing is the one i know by her.

Just finished the book and was amazed! Great story, and of course very profound literature.

I am 75% into the audio version of this book and am enjoying this important piece of work. I do like the quote you shared from this book as it reminds me about how it’s those in charge that usually write history… so with that said it is extremely wonderful that Zora Neale Hurston didn’t cave into writing the sanitized version of Barracoon.

has anyone done any research on the veracity of this story. it has a lot of big holes in it

Who are getting money off this lady book

I really wanted to hear your review but I couldn't get past the irritating music.

Why aren’t u speaking on who put him into slavery? It was other African black tribes that stole him.