Ordinary Notes by Christina Sharpe-Book Review

Welcome to Barking Book Reviews! Get ready to explore the profound insights of “Ordinary Notes” by Christina Sharpe. In this book review, we delve into the depths of Sharpe’s powerful narratives, tackling themes of race, history, and identity. Join us as we uncover the transformative impact of this thought-provoking work and embark on a journey of reflection and understanding. Let’s dive into the pages of “Ordinary Notes” together.

Ordinary Notes is a collection of 248 notes that explore the themes of Black life, grief, and the aftermath of slavery. Written in a variety of styles, including poetry, prose, and essays, the notes are personal and introspective, and they offer a unique perspective on Black life in America.

Plot

Ordinary Notes is a collection of 248 notes that explore the themes of Black life, grief, and the aftermath of slavery. The notes are written in a variety of styles, including poetry, prose, and essays. They are interspersed with images, photographs, and other ephemera.

The notes are not meant to be read in a linear order. They are a series of fragments that can be pieced together to create a larger picture. The notes are personal and introspective, and they explore the author’s own experiences of Blackness in America. They are also historical and political, and they examine the legacy of slavery and its impact on Black life today.

The notes are not meant to be read as a traditional narrative. They are more like a collection of thoughts, feelings, and experiences that are all connected to the theme of Blackness in America. The notes are meant to be read and interpreted in a variety of ways, and they are sure to provoke thought and discussion.

Theme

The central theme of Ordinary Notes is the resilience of Black life. The notes show how Black people have survived and thrived in the face of centuries of oppression. The notes also show how Black people have created their own cultures and traditions, and how they have made their mark on the world.

Characters

There are no named characters in Ordinary Notes. The notes are written from the perspective of the author, and they reflect her own experiences and thoughts. However, the notes do contain references to other Black people, and they offer a glimpse into the lives of Black people in America.

Genre

Ordinary Notes is a work of creative nonfiction. It is a hybrid genre that combines elements of poetry, prose, and essay. The notes are written in a variety of styles, and they are often personal and introspective.

Strengths and Weaknesses

One of the strengths of Ordinary Notes is its honesty. The notes are unflinching in their examination of the legacy of slavery and its impact on Black life today. The notes are also insightful and thought-provoking, and they offer a unique perspective on Black life in America.

One of the weaknesses of Ordinary Notes is its length. The notes are short, but they are also dense and challenging. The notes require careful reading and reflection, and they may not be accessible to all readers.

Takeaways

One of the takeaways from Ordinary Notes is that Black life is beautiful and resilient. The notes show how Black people have survived and thrived in the face of centuries of oppression. The notes also show how Black people have created their own cultures and traditions, and how they have made their mark on the world.

Another takeaway from Ordinary Notes is that the legacy of slavery is still felt today. The notes show how slavery has shaped Black life in America, and how it continues to impact Black people today. The notes also show how important it is to remember and learn from the past, so that we can create a better future for all.

Conclusion

Ordinary Notes is a powerful and important book. The notes are honest, insightful, and thought-provoking. They offer a unique perspective on Black life in America, and they are a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about race and racism.

We highly recommend Ordinary Notes to anyone who is interested in learning more about Black life in America. The notes are a powerful and important reminder of the resilience of Black people, and they offer a glimpse into the lives of Black people in America.

Author Details

Christina Sharpe is a Canadian writer and academic. She is the author of the books In the Wake: On Blackness and Being, Monstrous Intimacies: The Erotics of Racial Thinking, and Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon (translated by Sharpe). She is also a professor of English at York University in Toronto.