25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great story that defies American stereotypes., April 7, 1997
By A Customer
The author created a tale that defies American stereotypes
of captured and enslaved Africans. Mr Yerby painted a past
life of the slave, Wesley Parks, that was a very interesting
rendering of the culture of an African elite who was the
governor of a province in the Dahomean empire This was a potrait of a complete
man who had strong cultural ties, many skills and was a born
leader. Unfortunately, Hwesu was born into a decadent
society that enriched its rulers by conquering, capturing,
selling and enslaving its neighbors. The jealousy and
rage of relatives led to Hwesu\Wesley being enslaved. This
is a story of love, passion, violence, inhumanity and
survival. Hwesu was much more than a slave and his homeland
much more complicated than popular American stereotypes.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Man From Dahomey, April 8, 2008
I read this book as a reprint under the title "The man from Dahomey". It is an excellent novel capturing the intricacies of the life of a rich tribal chief in Africa who was sold into slavery. Frank Yerby's character development is excellent and detailed and the novel is thoroughly entertaining. The ending is however a true tragedy. I rate his novel 5 stars even though I prefer his brilliant novel of ancient Greece "The Goat Song".
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Frank Yerby at his best, February 3, 2009
A story about Africans; their beliefs and their culture. The rivalries between tribes, how they sold each other into slavery, and their feelings about each other. Very well written and quite an insight into the history of the African nations.
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