Let Us Descend

By: Jesmyn Ward

Narrated by: Jesmyn Ward

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

* AN OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK *

The first weapon I ever held was my mother's hand.

On a slave plantation in the Carolinas, Annis has survived in the light of her mother’s resilience, comforted by stories of her African warrior grandmother. Everything she knows, she learned from her mother – how to fight, how to be strong, how to grow up in a world shrouded in darkness. When she is sold south by the white enslaver who fathered her, Annis must venture onward through the rich but unforgiving landscapes of the American South alone: from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the slave markets of New Orleans, and into the fearsome heart of a Louisiana sugar plantation. Searching for relief in memories of her mother, she opens herself to a world beyond her own, teeming with spirits of earth, water, history and myth.

A reimagining of American slavery as beautifully rendered as it is heart-wrenching, Let Us Descend offers a magnificent portrait of the strength of the human spirit and its ability to emerge from darkness into light. This is a story of beauty, love, rebirth and reclamation – a masterwork for the ages.

©2023 Jesmyn Ward (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

Jesmyn Ward is one of the greatest writers of all time. And Let Us Descend, once again, proves it (Jacqueline Woodson, author of RED AT THE BONE)

Ward resurrects an enslaved girl out of the lost folds of the antebellum South, twists magic through every raindrop, mushroom and stalk of sugarcane, and drops you into the middle of her harrowing, unendurable, magnificent song. This is a gripping, mythic, bone-pulverizing descent into the grim darkness of American slavery – and yet somehow this novel simultaneously leaves you in awe of the human capacity to not only endure, but to ascend back to the light. A spectacular achievement (Anthony Doerr, author of ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE)

A stunning achievement. Will grip you from the first word to the last (Nathan Harris, author of THE SWEETNESS OF WATER)

Prepare for emotional investment on this one

In Jesmyn Ward's "Let Us Descend," you don't simply witness the horrors of antebellum slavery; you are plunged headfirst into the suffocating heat, brutal terrain, and unrelenting cruelty faced by Annis, a young woman torn from her mother and thrust into this harrowing odyssey. It's a book that demands your emotional investment, but rewards it with prose that sears onto your soul and a protagonist whose indomitable spirit will stay with you long after the final page.

Ward paints a visceral picture of Annis's journey, weaving lush descriptions of the Southern landscape with the grit and grime of slave life. You feel the oppressive humidity, the sting of sweat and tears, the ever-present threat of violence. This isn't simply historical fiction; it's sensory immersion, forcing you to confront the inhumanity of the era alongside Annis.

But "Let Us Descend" isn't just about suffering. It's a testament to the enduring power of love and resilience. Annis's bond with her mother, Josephine, is a luminous thread woven throughout the narrative, a source of strength that fuels her every step. Josephine's stories of their African ancestors infuse the story with magic and defiance, reminding you that even in the darkest depths, the spirit of resistance burns bright.

Ward masterfully avoids romanticizing Annis's journey. She is forced to endure unimaginable hardships, both physical and emotional. Yet, she never becomes a passive victim. Annis is resourceful, cunning, and deeply empathetic, even towards those who perpetrate her suffering. She navigates betrayal, loss, and despair, but never loses sight of her inherent humanity, a testament to the strength that resides within even the most oppressed.

The novel's exploration of magical realism adds another layer of intrigue. Dreams bleed into reality, ancestral voices whisper guidance, and nature itself becomes a canvas for Annis's internal struggles. These elements aren't mere window dressing; they deepen the understanding of Annis's connection to her heritage and empower her spirit in the face of insurmountable odds.

"Let Us Descend" is a challenging book, undeniably. It doesn't shy away from the brutal realities of the past, but it does so with an unflinching honesty and profound respect for the lives lost and legacies preserved. It's a powerful testament to the human spirit, a story that will leave you shaken, yet ultimately hopeful, inspired by the unyielding resilience of individuals like Annis who dared to dream of freedom even in the darkest of times.

terribly written, the plot has such promise yet falls flat with no triumph just tragedy.

Each paragraph is poetic in its own right yet the author fails to intertwyn the tapestry in a compelling story