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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
George Washington Black is born a slave, but that is not what life has in store for him. For me the best part of the book was the language, the way the words flowed on the page. Some of what Wash gets up to I'm rather incredulous to. I appreciate the nods to mental health at the time however.
Definitely a good read, and with my book club there was a good discussion too. About Wash, about Titch and about the life changes and especially the ending.
Definitely a good read, and with my book club there was a good discussion too. About Wash, about Titch and about the life changes and especially the ending.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Violence
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
I could not put this down - so good! Absolutely b*tshit and adventurous and filled with mad Victorian science, but also with plenty of reflection on freedom, personhood, white saviorism, and the meaning of home and family. That being said, I do think adding a light label of “magical realism” would help with some of the most exasperating/unbelievable parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation
Another audiobook - really enjoyed this one. Interesting journey and characters.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
the ending was a little vague. but I like that: I can decide where the characters go from there.
I did not feel the story was about Washington Black but rather about Christopher Wilde, aka Titch. It was about the back story of this man and why he did what he did with Washington Black. The author told us, from afar, the story of her characters, instead of inviting us to witness the events and the plot. The geographical locations and time jumps through out the story contributed to this kind of narration.
I did not like this book but I did not dislike it either.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator only did a good job doing Washington black, he butchered the other characters. There were two characters who were supposed to be German I cringed every time he tried to imitate a German accent. but I'm grateful to the audiobook because I think I would've hated the book if I read it.
I did not like this book but I did not dislike it either.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator only did a good job doing Washington black, he butchered the other characters. There were two characters who were supposed to be German I cringed every time he tried to imitate a German accent. but I'm grateful to the audiobook because I think I would've hated the book if I read it.
Maybe I'll finish it someday but it just wasn't grabbing me despite what seemed to be a good story.
3.5 stars
Synopsis -
"When two English brothers take the helm of a Barbados sugar plantation, Washington Black - an eleven year-old field slave - finds himself selected as personal servant to one of these men. The eccentric Christopher 'Titch' Wilde is a naturalist, explorer, scientist, inventor and abolitionist, whose single-minded pursuit of the perfect aerial machine mystifies all around him.
Titch's idealistic plans are soon shattered and Washington finds himself in mortal danger. They escape the island together, but then then Titch disappears and Washington must make his way alone, following the promise of freedom further than he ever dreamed possible."
Review -
This book started off beautifully. The beginning was strong and emotional, the characters portrayed vividly. Each character had a life of their own. I loved Titch so much. The author managed to paint the picture of this larger than life person through the eyes of a child born in slavery. The tension and fear blowing through the air of the plantation was palpable. The whole book had beautiful writing all over. But the plot started to go downhill for me after disappearance of Titch.
I found the main character Washington to be not that interesting without the company of Titch. The plot started to veer off in strange direction without making complete sense. It was not terrible, but I started to feel detached to story slowly. Improbable events started to happen, very conveniently to direct the storyline. And I did not like the ending at all. That is a personal opinion. Not everyone's going to hate it, but I didn't appreciate it.
If the whole book was like the first half, it would definitely have been a 5 star read. But the disjointed plot of the later half knocked the whole thing down to a mediocre experience.
Synopsis -
"When two English brothers take the helm of a Barbados sugar plantation, Washington Black - an eleven year-old field slave - finds himself selected as personal servant to one of these men. The eccentric Christopher 'Titch' Wilde is a naturalist, explorer, scientist, inventor and abolitionist, whose single-minded pursuit of the perfect aerial machine mystifies all around him.
Titch's idealistic plans are soon shattered and Washington finds himself in mortal danger. They escape the island together, but then then Titch disappears and Washington must make his way alone, following the promise of freedom further than he ever dreamed possible."
Review -
This book started off beautifully. The beginning was strong and emotional, the characters portrayed vividly. Each character had a life of their own. I loved Titch so much. The author managed to paint the picture of this larger than life person through the eyes of a child born in slavery. The tension and fear blowing through the air of the plantation was palpable. The whole book had beautiful writing all over. But the plot started to go downhill for me after disappearance of Titch.
I found the main character Washington to be not that interesting without the company of Titch. The plot started to veer off in strange direction without making complete sense. It was not terrible, but I started to feel detached to story slowly. Improbable events started to happen, very conveniently to direct the storyline. And I did not like the ending at all. That is a personal opinion. Not everyone's going to hate it, but I didn't appreciate it.
If the whole book was like the first half, it would definitely have been a 5 star read. But the disjointed plot of the later half knocked the whole thing down to a mediocre experience.