Reviews

47 by Walter Mosley

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.

aundie27's review against another edition

2.0

This was a difficult listen. I don't mind swearing, but I despise the N word and it was used excessively, especially for this being categorized as a middle readers book. It really dragged the story down, and the story was not terribly captivating for me. As a part black person, I always hated finding that the only black stories out there were about slaves. The only small change in this was that there was very minimal sci-fi. So small that it felt out of place. This was an odd book, and it was not terribly interesting. This is now my lesson for why I shouldn't booktalk a book without reading the whole thing...

The audiobook narrator had a very gravely voice which was semi interesting, but also tiring.

pages_and_procrastination's review against another edition

4.0

This is a a speculative fiction story about what slavery looks like from the outside-from someone neither white or black. Regardless of station/situation what people call you -it is just that- what they call you. One is not truly a slave until they accept themselves as slaves. Tall John is seeking out 47 to protect the Godmind, while Wall is determined to destroy it. That's the easy part of the book. What the Godmind is, hoe Tall John's magic works is where it all gets complicated. Even now, I am not sure if I fully understand it. I think I'm ok with that.

Now that I've completely finished the book, I have to admit that not every question is answered. In something else that would irritate me. But I understand why- at the end of the book, the point where 47 stops his story- he doesn't understand it all either. He is focused on surviving and completing Tall John's mission. This was a complicated story that gave great insight into people. I really like 47's growth over the course of the book and the fact that he was able to retain his innocence. I still think that this is a weird speculative story. But it made me think, I was invested in the story and the characters. This is a book that probably needs multiple readings. And I am definitely interested in reading more by Mosley.