Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - The Underground Railroad

Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad is a book that while gripping and fast-paced, also ruminates on the past and present state of racism in America. In this book, Cora’s journey acts as a small Odyssey where each state in her long escape from slavery acts as a picaresque episode of alternate presentations of racism. Though unique in their own right, each state provides a harrowing experience that furthers Cora’s determination to survive. Cora herself is the most developed character and through a few chapters at the beginning of the novel, she is already fully-fleshed and believable. Seeing the narrative through her eyes ensures that we are always viewing the world through an empathetic lens, and one that while acknowledging the horrific violence of slavery, does not graphically describe incidents to the point of coming across as exploitative. As a villain, Ridgeway serves as this novel’s Ahab, singularly focused on capturing Cora and finding the Railroad. Through this obsession and cold indifference to violence he becomes the most frightening character in this book, even when compared to the simple brutality of the slave masters. Overall, while I am glad that Whitehead concludes this narrative with a glimpse of hope, this is a challenging read with numerous heart-rending and crushing moments. It’s message is tantamount and essential to the understanding of race in America, even today.

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sprucy2427's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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lovegriefandgender's review against another edition

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5.0

Excellent fiction, and even more brilliant and scalding on a re-read. Its skill is in exploring the different faces of racism and the relentless disappointment of what looks like progression.

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kalzu's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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arijones91's review against another edition

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challenging emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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zoellu's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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charley0796's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I started this book thinking I was going to become completely absorbed and obsessed. The book started off in a very informative way, with a newspaper reporting feel. There’s high risk pursuits, tension and death. But I think it was the shock which kept me going.

I know many people have critiques the reality of the book, with many saying they didn’t like the fact the Underground Railroad was actually underground. I disagree, I thought this added a nice element of mystery to it and didn’t worry myself with the science of making such it! It also didn’t bother me that the historical accuracy might not have been on point because I knew that a lot of what was mentioned - the sterilisations and syphilis - is actually true.

What did bother me about this book was the choice to write in such a detached way. I felt like I was reading a newspaper report of fiction. I didn’t bond to the characters at all, I didn’t know what motivated Cora, nor did relate to her beyond her being a bookworm who occasionally critiqued white supremacy in her thoughts but never voiced them. There were so many names to remember, with many characters coming in just for a chapter before disappearing or dying. At first, I was shocked that one character died and promptly wondered what the point of him being included was. By the end of the book I stopped bothering with learning names and wondering about the point of a new character, they’d just die anyway. Now I don’t mind character deaths - but I didn’t even have time to get to know them or care about them, despite them being a big part of the characters life! Some chapters would also be inserted with random characters that were of no consequence - like one of a grave robber.

In sum, I love the idea of this book, it just needs more emotion and thought to help me bond to the story and characters.

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