400 Days of Oppression

First time reading a WJW book. All I can say is wow. Beautifully done. The only reason why I'm not giving it a 5 star review is because some characters needed a little bit more development and the last few chapters felt rushed. The ending was a bit disappointing and left me with a lot of unanswered questions.

400 DAYS OF OPPRESSION by Wrath James White is a good and original horror story, based on important historical tragedies and S&M lifestyle.This book made me feel so many emotions but mostly anger, sadness and frustration. The characters development is good and complex. I didn’t like them, but I couldn’t stop reading.I loved the unique approach of this story.I highly recommend it.

Everyone interprets stories differently, which is what makes them so wonderful. So this is my interpretation. I've seen the lower end reviews, and while I understand why they might think what they do, I also think they missed the bigger picture. Going to try to keep this spoiler free!Yes, the main character is emotionally weak. She very quickly allows herself to be all consumed by Kenyatta. She's willing to do anything for him. I caught myself more than once asking "Why?" If you pay attention to the clues ... "I've had men slap me like that before ..." or her several other allusions to previous trauma and assault, it's quite clear "why." She wants to be loved and this is a man asking her to go through incredible horror in exchange for a lifetime of love. The hope of catching the golden ring on a turn of the carousel. I wouldn't do it, you might not do it, but you cannot deny there are people - not just women - who are in such desperate need for love they'd endure just about anything.He knows that, and that's where the trouble begins.The book is a wild, sad, sexy, graphic roller coaster. As other reviewers have mentioned, yes, the prevalent theme is racism. But the ones screaming "racist!" are missing the point, in my opinion. Kenyatta is full of self-hatred. And I do think Kenyatta is racist, I think we all have our prejudices, as White points out himself in the text. But I also think that's what some people are so bent out of shape about. You don't want to think about your own prejudicial tendencies. You don't want to admit you stereotype people based on their skin, gender, sexual orientation, etc.But you do. You do even when you don't understand what they're going through, or why they're the way they are, or what their journey has been. This book takes "walk a mile in my shoes" well beyond it's cliched use.I was titillated, horrified, angry, disgusted, and all the other things I want to be when I read a horror novel. I look forward to reading more of White's work!

4 1/2 StarsKenyatta is in love with Christie. School is ending and he knows he won't see her again because he's transferring to a new one. On their walk home he confesses his love and seals it with a kiss. Christie runs off and leaves Kenyatta heartbroken.Kenyatta decides to try again over the phone. Their feelings may be reciprocated, but Christie's parents don't believe in that; black boys dating white girls. Kenyatta doesn't care though. His obsession is stronger than that and no one will stand in his way.Years later:Enter Natasha. She's been through a lot. Being molested at a young age has damaged her confidence and self-esteem. She went through men, drugs, and alcohol, but somehow she managed to get good grades and become a teacher.A night out with a friend leads to an unexpected meeting.Kenyatta and Natasha clash instantly. He's hot and seems into her, but he starts a conversation about race which has both of them on the defensive. His political debate excites her though. A smart, fine guy, looking for a commitment was interested in her? There's got to be something wrong with him, right?Kenyatta dominates her and she's soon head over heals. He wants to be with her, but first she must understand the black man's struggle. If she can submit, he will marry her. How much degradation could you endure for the sake of love. How many whippings would you take before saying the safe word. How much is too much?I found out quickly that this was not your typical erotic story. Race was the force behind this read. Kenyatta's historical lessons from the "book" were a little much and preachy.Kenyatta and his start-up conversation put up big yellow and red lights. CAUTION. GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HIM! SLOW DOWN. STOP. THIS DUDE IS CRAZY! I was instantly put-off by him and I had a hard time seeing exactly what is was that attracted Natasha to him. He was aggressive in a psychotic cave-man, bash you over the head sorta way, not in an "you're mine" possessive, growl, love me long time way.The stuff he made her go through as a "slave" was unsettling and the fact that she was doing it willingly made it even tougher to read about. She wasn't dumb. She knew what she was doing. She was actually quite strong to be able to submit to such extremes.This is not an easy read. It has whippings, light blood play, physical violence, and a little more woman-on-woman than I'm comfortable with. The half star came off due to the time she spent on the ranch which didn't really interest me. I felt that Kenyatta kind of disappeared from the story for too long. The other part was the educational moments.That's being said, this is Wrath's most in-depth work I've read so far. In his other reads something was always missing. In this read there were no holes, no guessing. It is what it is. It's cruel. It's dark. It's twisted.The ending was perfect. Natasha. Master of her own life.

I think the best thing about this novel was the character development. You could really associate with them even if you aren't into the fetish lifestyle and Wrath has a way of describing things making you feel like you're actually there. The storyline isn't as fast paced as his other work but it keeps you turning the pages none the less. Really enjoyed the story. The only criticism I could give this book is I didn't love the ending. There wasn't particularly anything wrong with it but I felt it could have packed more of a punch.

I spent most of the book, feeling quite angry about the supposed message contained within this story and what I felt was the exploitation of black history to make a completely invalid point and also feeling that Wrath James White must have a asteroid sized chip on his shoulder.However, without wanting to give too much away, one chapter turned it all around for me and it turned out that WJW totally duped me in so many ways.This was a beautifully written, intelligent story full of the usual WJW ingredients of gore, eroticism and shockers.

Not exactly what I've come to expect from Wrath James White but beautifully written & presented. Far less gore than usual but if anything White proves that it's not just brutality & hardcore siction that has got him the legion of fans he has. I thoroughly recommend this book & is my favourite of his so far, was disappointed when it ended.

Wrath James White pulls no punches in this tale of erotic horror. Behind the blood and sex is a well written story, sure to stay with you long after you have finished reading.