Reviews

47 by Walter Mosley

jordantaylor's review against another edition

2.0

In 1800's Georgia, 47 is a young slave who picks cotton on a plantation. He has always been resigned to his position in life as the way that things work. It is not until a mysterious boy named Tall John arrives at his home that he begins to question everything he has been taught to accept, and begins to shape his own foretold destiny.
This book is certainly unique - I don't think that I have ever read another book that blends Historical Fiction with Sci-Fi. I thought that the historical elements of this book were more dominant, but there are definite, quite obvious science fiction leanings as well.
Despite a bold, adventurous and revolutionary idea, I don't think that Mosley was able to pull it off. All the scenes where the two genres inter-mingle seem forced and out of place, and the scenes that are sci-fi altogether - when 47 meets people from another galaxy, for example - seem completely foreign and unexpected.
A great idea - but not a great book.

booknightowl's review against another edition

3.0

I am a avid historic fiction reader so I was excited to read this book. While it did start off interesting. It turned into a science fiction fantasy book. I was then not interested anymore and felt like I had to force myself to finish the book. Next time I will read the description better.

katiemartin's review against another edition

Started out as a pretty average book about a slave, then unexpectedly an immortal, non-human, thing comes and gives magic to him? Sorta a weird book.

sapphicnat's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

hannahmercurio's review against another edition

3.0

This book was pretty good, but i didnt like a bunch elements from it which resulted in my putting down this book. First of all i never really liked historical fiction. I knew this book was that, but i was in the mood to read a good historical fiction. The second element of this book that caused me to put down this book was that this whole alien thing came pretty abruptly. Before i read this book i had read nothing about this book, i was basically going in it blindly. I was expecting a regular historical fiction. Let me say THIS IS NOT JUST A HISTORICAL FICTION STORY!!! When the aliens made an appearance i was just sooooo confused. lol

diana_m_pho's review against another edition

3.0

A blend of historical fiction and fantasy, though I was disappointed with the execution. I thought Tall John and his alien society was fascinating, but at times the plot dragged and there wasn't as much action as I hoped. I think the sci-fi element was an interesting angle to get 47 to realize his true potential as a person and not just a slave, but I wished there was more of a sci-fi blend. The climax with the fight against Wall wasn't thrilling, and by the end, I wondered if that confrontation 47 hinted at in the future will ever be written. I doubt that. I think Octavia Bulter is more skilled when it comes to weaving a compelling tale using the themes of race and sci-fi.

shortkakesweety's review against another edition

4.0

I'm really not terribly sure what I think about this book. I found the whole thing very odd and yet I enjoyed reading it.

patternmaster's review against another edition

5.0

A young people's version of Octavia Butler's Kindred, perhaps. If I were still teaching middle school I would incorporate this text into the curriculum.

conniejoy529's review against another edition

3.0

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one. I went into the book not really knowing what to expect and I was definitely thrown for a loop. I've read Walter Mosley before and he's an excellent author. His writing style flows really well and I was really pulled into the story and read it in almost one sitting. While the story was definitely interesting, as I was reading it I was constantly trying to figure out where he was going with it. Like what am I supposed to be taking from this book. And often times I found myself disappointed when it didn't go the way I hoped/ thought it should. I think by the end I did understand what he was going for. You definitely see the growth and transformation in 47, the understanding that life can be what you make of it. But at the end I was still left with so many questions. I don't know if Mosely plans to continue this story but if he does I'd definitely want to read it.

candority's review against another edition

2.0

Actual Rating: 2.5
I quite enjoyed the slavery aspect of this book, but the whole otherworld and magic stuff ruined it for me.