The Confessions of Nat Turner: A Novel by William Styron Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Confessions of Nat Turner: A Novel
Book Review: Black activists despise the "theft" of their hero
Summary: 4 Stars
Whilst I would not disagree with other reviewers who admire this novel, I would point out that there is a little-known collection of essays by black writers and black activists about Styron's novel.The theme of these essays is that Styron, a guilty white liberal, has "stolen" Nat Turner from the negroes, and, by perverting the historical facts for the sake of his Pulitzer prize-winner, has turned a great figure into an indecisive, vacillating and sexually ambivalent creation (as a Jew, I feel the same way when Anne Frank's diary is revised by those seeking to "dilute" the experience of the holocaust).
Perhaps their greatest criticism of Styron's blacks is that they are portrayed as docile, imbecilic animals, a comforting fiction for guilty liberals who cannot understand why or how the slaves revolted.
In the final analysis, it may be the case that only blacks have access to the authentic slave experience - and therefore, as some of the critics state, Nat Turner is still waiting for one of his brothers to write his biography.
"What is the price of experience? Can men buy it for a song, or wisdom for a dance in the streets? No! It is bought with the price of all that man has. His house, his wife, his children." (Blake)
Book Review: Interesting yet disturbing
Summary: 3 Stars
Then again, the whole subject of slavery is disturbing. This was a far more interesting read than I thought it would be. Styron's book is well paced and well written enough to keep you turning page after page. Wouldn't recommend it for young kids, though, for some subject matter. I'd wait until late high school or thereabouts to recommend it for reading.Book Review: One of my all-time favorites; psychologically insightful.
Summary: 5 Stars
Styron establishes himself as one of America's premier writers with this book. He skillfully develops the psychological despair of Nat Turner; a bright and intelligent man driven to madness and murder in the South of the early 19th century. Stryon's style is refreshing and engaging; he invokes empathy for our antagonist yet the reader is left with a sense of tragedy for the "peculiar institution" and the price we have all paid for its' legacy. This is a must read for those interested in understanding our terrible past and the enduring psychological scars slavery has inflicted upon our nation.Book Review: on my top 10 of all time
Summary: 5 Stars
This fictional account of Nat Turner is absolutely wonderful. He makes a wonderful protaganist and throughout the story you want him to be successful and to find happiness. I was unaware that at the time the book was released, it was panned as racist by some black writers as racist. I wish they would read it again; it is a phenomenal story. Although Nat Turner is represented as a little mentally off-balanced, he is also represented as extremely smart, extremely kind, extremely strong and talented. I am reminded of Toni Morrison's Beloved, where the protaganist was also a little disturbed - driven by racism and the oppression of white society. Although her protaganist isn't as thoughtful and spiritual as Nat Turner, the idea that racism and oppression inflicted such pain is there. Add to that the absolute spiritual nature and soul-searching of Styron's Nat Turner and you have the makings a one truely great novel.Book Review: An interesting exploration of a "peculiar institution"
Summary: 4 Stars
This work is a must-read if you are interested in the South, slavery, and race relations. Styron's fiction is compelling. It's fiction, not history, and critics wrongly pan the work because they perceive that Styron's imagination unjustly molds "facts." The novel provides readers a look at slavery through the eyes of a slave - a wonderful, mad, erudite slave. With very little historical evidence and documents to use, the author uses his vision to create a fascinating portrait of the uprising's leader, who led the only successful slave revolt in the U.S. The implications of religion and the failure of Turner's troops to take Jerusalem can be extended to today's predicament. I found the author's afterword, in this 25th Anniversary edition, particulary insightful on the reaction the book received from various critics. Styron's disappointment with critics' inabilities to distance their own personal agendas when looking at literature concurs with my own feelings about the politics of academia.