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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Overall I enjoyed Washington Black, but found it relegated to the interstices; waiting in line, or otherwise, when nothing more interesting was to be done.
The prose I cannot fault. It was smooth, and consistent in its affectation, which must be a difficult thing to do. The characterisations were of similar quality. Toward the start we experience the protagonist’s perceptions as a child, but as conveyed by his older self, and that was adeptly done.
The story was interesting, and when I did read it I was engrossed. Where it was lacking, I think, was its plotting. There was little to pull me back to it when I stopped.
This continued through to the end, which felt forced. As if the author found herself with a book of sufficient length, but no clear ending, and fell back on the artifice of mirroring an earlier event from the opposite perspective.
Overall I enjoyed it. But in a leisurely way. Without any real hunger to find out what would happen next. And mild disappointment when I finally did.
The prose I cannot fault. It was smooth, and consistent in its affectation, which must be a difficult thing to do. The characterisations were of similar quality. Toward the start we experience the protagonist’s perceptions as a child, but as conveyed by his older self, and that was adeptly done.
The story was interesting, and when I did read it I was engrossed. Where it was lacking, I think, was its plotting. There was little to pull me back to it when I stopped.
This continued through to the end, which felt forced. As if the author found herself with a book of sufficient length, but no clear ending, and fell back on the artifice of mirroring an earlier event from the opposite perspective.
Overall I enjoyed it. But in a leisurely way. Without any real hunger to find out what would happen next. And mild disappointment when I finally did.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
Really challenging, yet whimsically romantic. An interesting combination of slave abolitionism, world travel, science, marine biology and romance. Highly recommend.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the story of a freed slave coming to grips with the reality of what it means to be a freed slave. The challenges he faces both physically and mentally are the main focus. It was an alright read, but I was hoping it would have more to say. Well written, but it felt lacking in the end.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
The brutal story of Washington born a slave in Barbados on the plantation Hope. His fate changed over and over as his life was moved from one place to another against his will. Beautifully written and the audiobook was gloriously read.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Abandonment
dark
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
3,5* misschien
Boeken over slavernij zijn kennelijk hot realiseer ik me - mijn derde boek over dit onderwerp het afgelopen jaar. Allemaal via andere bronnen op de leeslijst belandt, dat wel. Dit is van de drie de minste, al begint het goed: jongetje op wrede plantage wordt, met name door zijn gewicht, door broer van plantage-eigenaar uitgekozen in te assisteren bij het bouwen van een luchtballon. Waarna in de eerste helft een soort road movie ontstaat die eindigt op de Noordpool...
Tweede helft van het boek is wat filisofischer, als de jongen wat ouder is en zich meer over zijn verleden en het waarom van zijn uitverkiezing gaat nadenken.
Goed geschreven, daar niet van (Booker-prize shortlist tenslotte), maar minder aansprekend dan de eerdere boeken over dit onderwerp.
Boeken over slavernij zijn kennelijk hot realiseer ik me - mijn derde boek over dit onderwerp het afgelopen jaar. Allemaal via andere bronnen op de leeslijst belandt, dat wel. Dit is van de drie de minste, al begint het goed: jongetje op wrede plantage wordt, met name door zijn gewicht, door broer van plantage-eigenaar uitgekozen in te assisteren bij het bouwen van een luchtballon. Waarna in de eerste helft een soort road movie ontstaat die eindigt op de Noordpool...
Tweede helft van het boek is wat filisofischer, als de jongen wat ouder is en zich meer over zijn verleden en het waarom van zijn uitverkiezing gaat nadenken.
Goed geschreven, daar niet van (Booker-prize shortlist tenslotte), maar minder aansprekend dan de eerdere boeken over dit onderwerp.