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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a unique take on the underground railroad since Whitehead makes it an actual railroad & each state is almost a different take on slavery. However, the character portayal really let me down (which was the same issue for a different book that I read by him). I'm thinking his style might not be for me.
The Underground Railroad reimagines the historical escape network as a literal subterranean train system, following Cora, an enslaved woman who flees a Georgia plantation in search of freedom. As she travels from state to state, each stop presents a different, often harrowing vision of racism, oppression, and resistance in America. Cora’s journey is both a physical and emotional odyssey, illuminating the brutal legacy of slavery and the unyielding desire for liberation.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A powerful premise that fell flat for me.
There’s no denying the brutality and horror of what Black Americans endured, this book doesn’t shy away from that, and some of it was genuinely disturbing in a way that should be. But as much as I wanted to be moved by Cora’s journey, I felt detached. The writing felt cold, and Cora (along with most of the side characters) had little to no personality, which made it hard to stay engaged emotionally or even narratively.
The reimagining of the Underground Railroad as a literal train system was a cool and creative twist, I actually thought it was real when I was a kid, so I wish Whitehead had leaned into that more. That part felt like it could’ve been fleshed out into something magical and haunting, but instead it remained mostly on the sidelines.
It feels wrong rating this so low when the subject matter is so important, but I found myself zoning out, not connecting with the characters, and getting frustrated by a story that felt more like a disjointed history lesson than a compelling novel.
If you’re curious because of the Pulitzer or Oprah’s sticker, go in with measured expectations.
There’s no denying the brutality and horror of what Black Americans endured, this book doesn’t shy away from that, and some of it was genuinely disturbing in a way that should be. But as much as I wanted to be moved by Cora’s journey, I felt detached. The writing felt cold, and Cora (along with most of the side characters) had little to no personality, which made it hard to stay engaged emotionally or even narratively.
The reimagining of the Underground Railroad as a literal train system was a cool and creative twist, I actually thought it was real when I was a kid, so I wish Whitehead had leaned into that more. That part felt like it could’ve been fleshed out into something magical and haunting, but instead it remained mostly on the sidelines.
It feels wrong rating this so low when the subject matter is so important, but I found myself zoning out, not connecting with the characters, and getting frustrated by a story that felt more like a disjointed history lesson than a compelling novel.
If you’re curious because of the Pulitzer or Oprah’s sticker, go in with measured expectations.
Thought this was a great book - well written and definitely thought provoking. Books on slavery are never easy to read, and he did not hold back from painting a picture of how brutal things were during this period in history. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was I felt it was lacking a bit on the character development. The style of writing seemed to be more factual and a bit cold even - more just relaying the events as they took place (many of which were horrific), but didn't get into much depth about the emotions of the characters, Cora included. Maybe this was intentional, but it left me feeling a bit detached and less invested at times. I enjoyed the concept and got a lot out of the book overall but from a character perspective I'd say it left me wanting more.
Audio book
Terrific book. It actually had me believing that the Underground Railroad had physical trains (and I was wondering HOW I didn't know that). That's how convincing it is.
My one tiny criticism (and this could be because I listened and didn't read) is that there is some jumping around in time that was hard to follow.
Terrific book. It actually had me believing that the Underground Railroad had physical trains (and I was wondering HOW I didn't know that). That's how convincing it is.
My one tiny criticism (and this could be because I listened and didn't read) is that there is some jumping around in time that was hard to follow.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Minor spoilers below.
I'm having a really hard time with this one. Whitehead's writing is evocative, keen, masterful. The conceit of an actual, physical underground railroad was interesting, but I wish more had been done with it. Or perhaps I'm not poetic enough to fully understand the metaphor made real. I felt frustrated at the ambiguity of the ending at first, but sitting with it, I think it's kind of perfect, actually. Slavery is nominally over, but its legacy remains and related injustices occur to this day, so a triumphant completion of a journey through the underground railroad wouldn't be as meaningful, even if it might have felt more satisfying. I also felt guilt and frustration on Cora's behalf that so many of the people she comes in contact with die or are murdered or lose everything, but again, it's honest - the horrors of slavery affected everyone in one way or another, it couldn't be escaped as long as the system existed. So yeah, I was frustrated or uneasy with some of Whitehead's choices, but I respect them. It was hard to really get attached to any specific character other than Cora, or get a handle on any individual's actual personality other than Ridgeway, which is why I'm not giving this 5 stars outright.
Finally, I think it's worth mentioning that I read this over the whole month of June with a LOT of gaps and life distractions and I think it might have read better if I had done it over a weekend or something. His writing is almost lyrical, and it's a pity I wasn't able to immerse myself in it properly. I'm looking forward to reading more of his work. Hopefully Nickel Boys next.
I'm having a really hard time with this one. Whitehead's writing is evocative, keen, masterful. The conceit of an actual, physical underground railroad was interesting, but I wish more had been done with it. Or perhaps I'm not poetic enough to fully understand the metaphor made real. I felt frustrated at the ambiguity of the ending at first, but sitting with it, I think it's kind of perfect, actually. Slavery is nominally over, but its legacy remains and related injustices occur to this day, so a triumphant completion of a journey through the underground railroad wouldn't be as meaningful, even if it might have felt more satisfying. I also felt guilt and frustration on Cora's behalf that so many of the people she comes in contact with die or are murdered or lose everything, but again, it's honest - the horrors of slavery affected everyone in one way or another, it couldn't be escaped as long as the system existed. So yeah, I was frustrated or uneasy with some of Whitehead's choices, but I respect them. It was hard to really get attached to any specific character other than Cora, or get a handle on any individual's actual personality other than Ridgeway, which is why I'm not giving this 5 stars outright.
Finally, I think it's worth mentioning that I read this over the whole month of June with a LOT of gaps and life distractions and I think it might have read better if I had done it over a weekend or something. His writing is almost lyrical, and it's a pity I wasn't able to immerse myself in it properly. I'm looking forward to reading more of his work. Hopefully Nickel Boys next.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Why was this book so devoid of.. everything? It’s almost impressive how Whitehead managed to write a book centered around human cruelty that evokes such little emotion. The characters felt like strangers when I put this book down, and I was consistently flipping back and forth trying to remember who/what he was referring to.
challenging
emotional
medium-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