Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson - OPTIONAL

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents (Adapted for Young Adults) by Isabel Wilkerson, 330 pages. NON-FICTION. Delacorte Press, 2022. $19 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: R

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Award-winning journalist, Isabel Wilkerson dives into the definition of casteism and explains the differences between caste, race and class. She compares slavery in America to Nazi Germany and India’s caste systems. Using examples throughout history and recent events in America, Wilkerson provides an understandable explanation of the role caste plays in the history of America and how it reaches into the lives of minorities today and why we all need to be aware of its far-reaching effects. Caste is essential, however the violence is upsetting and requires me to mark it optional for this blog, which brings attention to the content for those who might be interested in reading this eye-opening and necessary non-fiction. 

The violence includes very violent explanations of the treatment of slaves. The violence isn’t gory or gratuitous, but includes lynchings, beheadings, torture, creative violence, forced drowning and refers to women slaves who were inspected while naked by any man who wanted. The vocabulary and explanations throughout the book seem more appropriate for older readers, maybe even college level. I put the audience appeal at average because this is a dense and serious read, but will appeal to open-minded educated readers with a high reading level. Caste discusses in a logical way the societal issues Americans are facing and would benefit anyone who reads it.

Reviewer, C. Peterson