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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
DNF -- The first part was 5 stars, the second half was... 2 stars? Is this two different books? What happened here?
A phenomenal read. I loved the tale of Washington Black growing up in slavery, finding favor, learning and growing and finally becoming a man of his own. Truly just a beautiful book.
25 in 2025 This is a difficult story bringing different viewpoints on slavery and freedom. Offers much to think about.
I wanted to hear the real voice of Wash.
The story was told by Wash as Hopkins grad, not the uneducated child slave that he was.
It made the entire novel weirdly disingenuous to me.
The story was told by Wash as Hopkins grad, not the uneducated child slave that he was.
It made the entire novel weirdly disingenuous to me.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
An expansive book following the titular character from his boyhood to young adulthood. It's a story about self-actualization through learning/science, and the ways that intersects with racism and the legacy of slavery. There's a real sense of adventure as Washington travels the world, and yet his experiences are also intensely personal. Washington meets a lot of people on his way, and I found it interesting the way that even those who help him are still affected by racist beliefs in various ways. I really loved the character of Tanna and the way she took charge in a lot of situations when Washington couldn't. In a sense, it's a coming of age book.
Dion Graham's narration was phenomenal. The story is written in first-person, and I really felt every emotion as it was told to me. In particular I was struck by one scene. After an emotional revelation that brings Washington to tears, but from which he's suddenly brought back to reality, Graham maintains a few sniffles and sobs as he narrates what happens next. I felt like it really captured the experience of a moment like that. I'd recommend the audiobook as an enhanced way of experiencing this story.
Dion Graham's narration was phenomenal. The story is written in first-person, and I really felt every emotion as it was told to me. In particular I was struck by one scene. After an emotional revelation that brings Washington to tears, but from which he's suddenly brought back to reality, Graham maintains a few sniffles and sobs as he narrates what happens next. I felt like it really captured the experience of a moment like that. I'd recommend the audiobook as an enhanced way of experiencing this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The characters aren't especially distinctive outside of Wash and Titch, but their relationship is fortunately complicated enough to carry the novel. Esi Edugyan shows how the wonders and horrors of the early 19th century were inextricable from each other, conveying both the thrill of discovery and the ruin that colonial slavery made of the lives of the oppressed and oppressors.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes