Scan barcode
rembrandt1881's review against another edition
4.0
So I had some reservations about this book but I was very intrigued especially after reading another book by the author called the Last Policeman.
Underground Airlines is a high concept novel that blends history and fiction in a refreshing way. There were a couple of twists and turns in the story that I didn't see coming and once they came they were exciting and seemed to change what the focus of the story was in a good way.
There were a lot of chances for this to go off the rails but Ben Winters manages to keep things of track, not pile on too many extraneous plot lines and wrap it up in a way that was satisfying. The one thing I had a bit of an issue with is how our main character and narrator ends up with his associate Martha. It's a bit convenient and moreso because this needs to happen rather than any other reason that is story related.
This book is just hard to describe for the average person but I think it is definitely something that is worth reading if you want something different to check out.
Underground Airlines is a high concept novel that blends history and fiction in a refreshing way. There were a couple of twists and turns in the story that I didn't see coming and once they came they were exciting and seemed to change what the focus of the story was in a good way.
There were a lot of chances for this to go off the rails but Ben Winters manages to keep things of track, not pile on too many extraneous plot lines and wrap it up in a way that was satisfying. The one thing I had a bit of an issue with is how our main character and narrator ends up with his associate Martha. It's a bit convenient and moreso because this needs to happen rather than any other reason that is story related.
This book is just hard to describe for the average person but I think it is definitely something that is worth reading if you want something different to check out.
anabak's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Super fast thoughtful read — a futuristic world where slavery never ended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
celtic67's review against another edition
5.0
Once you remember this is an alternative history novel, that things haven't happened, things have happened or may or may not happen in the future. then this becomes an exciting read. America but not as we know it. A thrilling, alternative history read, whilst stretching the mind remains plausible. I recommend this book. A worthy 5 stars. Thanks to lovereading.co.uk and the publishers for ARC
ttodd86's review against another edition
5.0
This is a very good and entertaining read. Winters does a great job with his alternative version of the U.S., mixing the familiar with the bizarre and the troubling. I liked his book The Last Policeman, but I like this one even more.
gabriel98's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
3.5
myriadreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.0
whimsy_and_rigor's review against another edition
The fact that the author is a white man and he’s writing from a formally enslaved black man’s perspective just wouldn’t sit right with me. The concept of the novel is fascinating, but the characters weren’t compelling enough for me to overcome my concern with the author.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
I just love alternative history tales. Stories of Hitler winning WWII, JFK not getting shot... And here a world in which the American Civil War was never fought and slavery (in southern states at least) was never abolished, and continues to this day.
It reminded me of the excellent film/mockumentary CSA: The Confederate States of America. It is never easy to read about slavery, and in the contemporary world of technology and modern comforts, even less so.
Victor (on of his many names) lives in the northern states where slavery is no longer practiced, but where those not lucky enough to be born with white skin are treated as less than equally nonetheless. A former slave himself, his occupation of escaped-slave-catcher does not offer him peace of mind. Hunting down a runner known as 'Jackdaw', one of many hundreds he has found and sent back to his masters, he begins to uncover something wrong, secrets that the southern states are hiding.
The key to Underground Airlines, the core of its appeal will be the world it creates, the alternate America. It's skilfully done, I enjoyed the parallels and recognisable differences between our world and Victor's:
- To Kill a Mockingbird is no longer a look at the second class status of black citizens but a story about a runaway slave and a "courageous white lawyer who saves him from a vicious racist Deputy Marshal who comes to claim him"
- Abraham Lincoln's assassination saved the Union, "remade the country"
- Jesse Owens won medals in the 1936 Olympics but then defected to Russia, "'denouncing degenerate slave-state capitalism"
- the Little Rock integration scenario is now about the rights of Negro Children to have schools (at all)
- Michael Jackson. Actually I'm not sure what is different about him, same songs but no mention of his skin tone. But Victor loves his music.
Frightening and upsetting in its construction, the story forms a rather familiar little-man against the big-system story, with a sidekick appearing and undercover work to be done, inside the slavery states.
Some good plot twists, and with a very-much-grey hero, Victor takes us on a tour of a country we don't want back, and it is a shock to see slavery in our own world. Uncomfortable.
Enjoyable (in some ways) dystopia, powerful subject. A good thriller story.
With thanks to NetGalley for the advance reading copy.
It reminded me of the excellent film/mockumentary CSA: The Confederate States of America. It is never easy to read about slavery, and in the contemporary world of technology and modern comforts, even less so.
Victor (on of his many names) lives in the northern states where slavery is no longer practiced, but where those not lucky enough to be born with white skin are treated as less than equally nonetheless. A former slave himself, his occupation of escaped-slave-catcher does not offer him peace of mind. Hunting down a runner known as 'Jackdaw', one of many hundreds he has found and sent back to his masters, he begins to uncover something wrong, secrets that the southern states are hiding.
The key to Underground Airlines, the core of its appeal will be the world it creates, the alternate America. It's skilfully done, I enjoyed the parallels and recognisable differences between our world and Victor's:
- To Kill a Mockingbird is no longer a look at the second class status of black citizens but a story about a runaway slave and a "courageous white lawyer who saves him from a vicious racist Deputy Marshal who comes to claim him"
- Abraham Lincoln's assassination saved the Union, "remade the country"
- Jesse Owens won medals in the 1936 Olympics but then defected to Russia, "'denouncing degenerate slave-state capitalism"
- the Little Rock integration scenario is now about the rights of Negro Children to have schools (at all)
- Michael Jackson. Actually I'm not sure what is different about him, same songs but no mention of his skin tone. But Victor loves his music.
Frightening and upsetting in its construction, the story forms a rather familiar little-man against the big-system story, with a sidekick appearing and undercover work to be done, inside the slavery states.
Some good plot twists, and with a very-much-grey hero, Victor takes us on a tour of a country we don't want back, and it is a shock to see slavery in our own world. Uncomfortable.
Enjoyable (in some ways) dystopia, powerful subject. A good thriller story.
With thanks to NetGalley for the advance reading copy.
aeturnum's review against another edition
3.0
Very vivid portrait of the protagonist. Left the book feeling a little uncertain about what the author is trying to say beyond Vincent.
hannahhbic's review against another edition
2.0
I can't finish this book because it makes me genuinely uncomfortable knowing a white author is trying to discuss this topic when it isn't his story to tell. This article makes it sound like HUGE CONTROVERSY when really these authors are calling a spade a spade. I will try to read other works by Winters, but this one just doesn't sit right.
P.S. Go read [b:Kindred|60931|Kindred|Octavia E. Butler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339423248s/60931.jpg|1049657] if you're really interested in sci-fi stories about slavery.
P.S. Go read [b:Kindred|60931|Kindred|Octavia E. Butler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339423248s/60931.jpg|1049657] if you're really interested in sci-fi stories about slavery.