Reviews - Underground Railroad

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10k reviews for:

Underground Railroad

Colson Whitehead

4.09 AVERAGE

thomas1726's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

auroraleighs's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

A creative concept that launches a horrific and moving journey both for the heroine's literal trip north, and through African American history.

mworrell's review against another edition

I thought the voice actor was particularly good.

I liked the pacing of this novel and the ordering of its narratives. Twice — first about 60% the way through, and second in the last few pages — I noticed a pattern of threes (I’ll elucidate behind spoilers). They lent the latter half of the book a fairytale quality. By the second repetition I knew what was to occur, and lo’ so it was. This and other elements made the book’s rhythm deeply compelling.

One. The chapters Ethel, Caesar, and Mabel. Two. The three wagons that roll past Cora. …I wonder if I missed other trios?

I’ve been watching the show alongside listening to the book, and I’m struck by the softening of some of the white characters. The slave catcher’s father, for example. Even the slave catcher himself, in giving him a childhood backstory.

I’d have rather’d they draw from Ethel’s backstory over the slave catcher’s. Her interiority was far more interesting than his. Though given the visual medium I can see why they didn’t.

Personally, I prefer the book over the script. But I do quite like the casting and the acting.

tkornedo's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Sad, thoughtful. This is America.

Content Warnings

gmolinar's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ramchandjn's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

amclean's review against another edition

This book is a must read. It’s terrifying reminds us that our country is based on theft, murder and contemptuous greed. It was devastating to learn of the very real

of

about

the

pages

of

this

book

however,

I

had

moments

to

put
it down for sadness and terror, but I forced myself not just to read but reread pages

pages

of the

That’s

so
many of our brothers and sisters of color have suffered even currently to this day in 202

in

our
marginalized community are being kidnapped and murdered and brandished as tokens of impeachment president and the rigor of his evil and wrath. It’s a must read.