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Divided By Design
Divided By Design takes the reader through the passage of time showing that the spirit of slavery still exists today. It’s a story of historical fiction set in the Caribbean island of Barbados and written in two parts. The first part shows how black people were uprooted from their home in Africa and brought to the Caribbean where they were intentionally divided by the plantation owners who used the slaves’ free labour to amass wealth.The second part of the book continues in a more modern era with a young lady, who is a descendant of one of the slaves, navigating life through the still existing impact of slavery in the Caribbean.It is an excellent read for everyone and very apt for this time.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 21, 2021
#INSIGHT: As the name suggests, Divided by Design is a book which showcases the disparities created because of the design of a human being, here it was complexion. The Author has very beautifully tried to pen down the oppressions done by the whites centuries ago, and their overall impact on the lives of blacks even to this day.
#REVIEW: The book 'Divided by Design' is divided into three parts. While the first part deals with the plight of black plantation workers in Barbados centuries ago (Characters: Amare and his descendants), the second and third parts bring into picture the current day situation of blacks and how it is not just a colour but has become a race altogether (Velma and Susan). I loved how the story moved. The story is strong and at the same time comes out with the similarities between the past era and present time. The hardships faced by blacks even in the 21st century and that too for their daily life survival and growth is something that will break your hearts. This book has definitely changed something inside me. Kudos to the Author for writing about this topic so wonderfully.
#STRENGTH: The cover page and title are so strong and apt that they conveyed the gist of the book without actually saying it. The necessary flow maintained throughout, the storyline grips you from beginning till end. The writing style of the Author impressed me. The idea of writing it in the form of a fiction was actually the game-changer for this book which made it interesting and gave something to the readers to connect. The characters are very well explored. I loved how the last chapter of the book is written.
#TARGET READERS: The book doesn't target any specific category of readers. It can be read by one and all.
#AGE GROUP: Above 16 years old
#GENRE: Fiction
#RATING: 4.5/5
#REVIEW: The book 'Divided by Design' is divided into three parts. While the first part deals with the plight of black plantation workers in Barbados centuries ago (Characters: Amare and his descendants), the second and third parts bring into picture the current day situation of blacks and how it is not just a colour but has become a race altogether (Velma and Susan). I loved how the story moved. The story is strong and at the same time comes out with the similarities between the past era and present time. The hardships faced by blacks even in the 21st century and that too for their daily life survival and growth is something that will break your hearts. This book has definitely changed something inside me. Kudos to the Author for writing about this topic so wonderfully.
#STRENGTH: The cover page and title are so strong and apt that they conveyed the gist of the book without actually saying it. The necessary flow maintained throughout, the storyline grips you from beginning till end. The writing style of the Author impressed me. The idea of writing it in the form of a fiction was actually the game-changer for this book which made it interesting and gave something to the readers to connect. The characters are very well explored. I loved how the last chapter of the book is written.
#TARGET READERS: The book doesn't target any specific category of readers. It can be read by one and all.
#AGE GROUP: Above 16 years old
#GENRE: Fiction
#RATING: 4.5/5
June 22, 2020
Warning: could be triggering.
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Like a caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, so transformed the island’s inhabitants and all contained within.
🦄🦄🦄
Divided by Design Rodney D. Lewis is a fictional book with the realities of the past and present mixed into it.
I do not want to write a blurb for the book as no blurb would be able to capture the amount of emotions that I felt while reading this book.
Let me be frank, it's going to hurt but everyone needs to read this.
We get to see the struggles black people had to face as slaves in the past as well as discriminates the present.
Because the story is divided into two eras we get to see the similarities is treatment between both the times even though times have changed.
We get a brief look into the past with the present being the book's main focus but both hurt equally.
It's an emotionally draining journey because while the characters expect things to get better, they don't.
This book is significant especially with the BLM movement as it makes you think.
You encounter each horrific event that they have had to go through and you have to process it. All the injustice, all the heartbreaking moments will eat at you and it's not everyone's cup of tea, but is necessary to read this book.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 10/10
Melina L.
🦄🦄🦄
Like a caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, so transformed the island’s inhabitants and all contained within.
🦄🦄🦄
Divided by Design Rodney D. Lewis is a fictional book with the realities of the past and present mixed into it.
I do not want to write a blurb for the book as no blurb would be able to capture the amount of emotions that I felt while reading this book.
Let me be frank, it's going to hurt but everyone needs to read this.
We get to see the struggles black people had to face as slaves in the past as well as discriminates the present.
Because the story is divided into two eras we get to see the similarities is treatment between both the times even though times have changed.
We get a brief look into the past with the present being the book's main focus but both hurt equally.
It's an emotionally draining journey because while the characters expect things to get better, they don't.
This book is significant especially with the BLM movement as it makes you think.
You encounter each horrific event that they have had to go through and you have to process it. All the injustice, all the heartbreaking moments will eat at you and it's not everyone's cup of tea, but is necessary to read this book.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 10/10
Melina L.
March 26, 2021
Detailed Review Of "Divided By Design" By Rodney D. lewis
Thanks to author for the review copy.
Genre - Historic Fiction
Ratings 4.7/5
Divided by design is an amazing book which talks about various events happen in the past and how black people has faced lots of issue in past and once you start reading this there is no way you're gonna put it down easily
Also it's a short read of about 184 pages and you can easily finished it in two or three sittings as you just got sucked into that world.
Character and plot are developed at proper pace and author has shown very nicely the arc of characters.
The writing style of the author is very good and error free and also written in very simple way which makes it easy to read.
The title of the book is also very good and author has narrated this story very nicely and kept you interesting throughout the story.
The cover of the book is also very amazing and look very cool. I really loved the way it looks.
Moreover it's an amazing read and I really loved it. I highly recommend this book to all.
Thanks to author for the review copy.
Genre - Historic Fiction
Ratings 4.7/5
Divided by design is an amazing book which talks about various events happen in the past and how black people has faced lots of issue in past and once you start reading this there is no way you're gonna put it down easily
Also it's a short read of about 184 pages and you can easily finished it in two or three sittings as you just got sucked into that world.
Character and plot are developed at proper pace and author has shown very nicely the arc of characters.
The writing style of the author is very good and error free and also written in very simple way which makes it easy to read.
The title of the book is also very good and author has narrated this story very nicely and kept you interesting throughout the story.
The cover of the book is also very amazing and look very cool. I really loved the way it looks.
Moreover it's an amazing read and I really loved it. I highly recommend this book to all.
August 4, 2020
Divided by Design @dividedbydesign is the debut work of the author Rodney D. Lewis @1rodneydavidlewis.
This book conveys the message of the black man's journey in a different way. The story begins with a small African family comprised of a 24 year old man called Amare, his wife Binta and their 6 year old son Zarik who were living peacefully until things turned quickly upside down.
The story shows how enslaved black people were in the past and still are in the present. Even though many things have changed today, black people still struggle due to their skin color.
Some sections are heart breaking. The book is divided into three parts dealing with the past era, the present era, and an interpretive third section.
Be advised that the book contains mature content and strong language. Although the story is fictional, it has reality mixed in. This was a short but intense read. The cover and the title are apt and are well related to the content of the book.
This book conveys the message of the black man's journey in a different way. The story begins with a small African family comprised of a 24 year old man called Amare, his wife Binta and their 6 year old son Zarik who were living peacefully until things turned quickly upside down.
The story shows how enslaved black people were in the past and still are in the present. Even though many things have changed today, black people still struggle due to their skin color.
Some sections are heart breaking. The book is divided into three parts dealing with the past era, the present era, and an interpretive third section.
Be advised that the book contains mature content and strong language. Although the story is fictional, it has reality mixed in. This was a short but intense read. The cover and the title are apt and are well related to the content of the book.
August 5, 2020
Significant and Powerful read.
Rodney Lewis addresses a serious topic through his engaging and powerful writing style.
It is a thought provoking book about black people, their lives, their journey, their struggles, and their history. Taking readers through different eras the author shows how slavery and colorism continues in different shapes and mindsets.
The author fictionalised his message and delivered it through interesting characters and an absorbing plot instead of keeping it bland.
The intense portions of the book will break your heart and will leave you in tears. Beautifully written, and striking book deals with colorism. Rodney poses serious questions through his eye opening book.
It'll captivate you and continue to shape your thoughts for a long time after you have read it. Highly recommended.
Looking forward to future works of the author.
Rodney Lewis addresses a serious topic through his engaging and powerful writing style.
It is a thought provoking book about black people, their lives, their journey, their struggles, and their history. Taking readers through different eras the author shows how slavery and colorism continues in different shapes and mindsets.
The author fictionalised his message and delivered it through interesting characters and an absorbing plot instead of keeping it bland.
The intense portions of the book will break your heart and will leave you in tears. Beautifully written, and striking book deals with colorism. Rodney poses serious questions through his eye opening book.
It'll captivate you and continue to shape your thoughts for a long time after you have read it. Highly recommended.
Looking forward to future works of the author.
March 8, 2021
Divided by Design is the first novel penned by the author Rodney D Lewis. In his novel, the author has conveyed the message of the black man's journey differently.
He tells the story of how black people came to the Caribbean island of Barbados on a slave ship. The story begins through the eyes of Amare’s family who was living peacefully on the continent of Africa.
One day as Amare and his son Zarik went to the river to catch fish, they saw men talking in a language unknown to them and having a different coloured skin. Zarik was able to get away but Amare was captured.
Grab a copy of this novel and read it yourself to find out what happened to Amare and Zarik and to learn more about the life of black people, how they were enslaved in the past and how they are still victims of their dark skin and over 400 years of slavery.
The cover of this book very thoughtfully portrays the essence of the novel and the title is more than fitting to it’s story.
Follow @dividedbydesign on Instagram for updates and posts about the issues explored in the novel Divided By Design.
He tells the story of how black people came to the Caribbean island of Barbados on a slave ship. The story begins through the eyes of Amare’s family who was living peacefully on the continent of Africa.
One day as Amare and his son Zarik went to the river to catch fish, they saw men talking in a language unknown to them and having a different coloured skin. Zarik was able to get away but Amare was captured.
Grab a copy of this novel and read it yourself to find out what happened to Amare and Zarik and to learn more about the life of black people, how they were enslaved in the past and how they are still victims of their dark skin and over 400 years of slavery.
The cover of this book very thoughtfully portrays the essence of the novel and the title is more than fitting to it’s story.
Follow @dividedbydesign on Instagram for updates and posts about the issues explored in the novel Divided By Design.
March 20, 2021
Rodney Lewis addresses a serious topic through his powerful writing. A work of fiction, set in Barbados. it is a book about the beginnings of slavery, the lives, the journey, the struggles, and the history.
Thought provoking and hard to read at times, it is story that will cause reflection. As the author states in his introduction “Prepare to be enlightened.”
Thought provoking and hard to read at times, it is story that will cause reflection. As the author states in his introduction “Prepare to be enlightened.”
July 6, 2021
Gosh, it was angrily enjoyable. A real page-turner. I am so happy for Rodney. He ran into me for the second time in my life and this time it was a great experience.
October 18, 2021
Realistic
Such a realistic portrayal of the challenges of life in Barbados. It gripped me I could not put it down.
Such a realistic portrayal of the challenges of life in Barbados. It gripped me I could not put it down.
August 5, 2020
The book's cover got me and i just couldn't stop myself from reading it, I am so glad I did. I truly wanted to pick it from a very long time and when I finally completed it, I am wrapped with many emotions all in once. If I to describe this book in just three words, it is Strong, heart wrenching and intense. The book is divided into three parts, covers two era's and millions of emotions. The black slavery and injustice is not new, but it neither has stopped even though we pretend it has.
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Few days ago, I read an article where I found operations on black people were performed without giving anesthesia, this breaks my heart as in they are not human? In the same way this book totally hits the right chords of the reader's heart, it's written in a way that's truly very gripping, it's not too descriptive, right from the very first page it is on point, the book is again meant for 16+ readers and might not be appropriate for sensitive readers. It might be triggering for some, like from the very first chapter there are scenes which are really really intense. I really get the amount of efforts that were put in order to bring it this way.
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It has characters and familes who will make you realize so much, so much than you can expect.
Divided by design really narrates a story of humans who are one but still divided by design and it's so important to understand at least now, to accept each human the way he/she is! A very gripping read, something that ligthens one's mind. A must read.
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Rating: 4.5🌟
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews