Let Us Descend A Novel By Jesmyn Ward (2023)

Let Us Descend is Jesmyn Ward's haunting masterpiece, a reimagining of American slavery that promises to become an instant classic. Annis, an enslaved girl sold south by her white father, serves as the reader's guide through this harrowing journey from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the sugar plantations of Louisiana. As Annis struggles through the brutality of her existence, she seeks solace in memories of her mother and stories of her African heritage.

Ward's narrative skillfully intertwines the physical and spiritual realms, portraying a world teeming with spirits—some nurturing, others malevolent. As Annis delves deeper into this realm, she undergoes a profound transformation, finding resilience and reclaiming her identity in the face of unspeakable adversity.

Set against the backdrop of the American South's unforgiving landscape, Let Us Descend is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a poignant exploration of Black American grief and joy. With lyrical prose and profound insight, Ward delivers her most magnificent novel yet, cementing her status as one of the most brilliant writers of her generation