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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
A really great written book with an eye for detail and a beautiful writing style. I also liked the story and the characters. But I was kind of disappointed with the ending. It felt as if there was more to say, as if the sentence was not even finished.
I savored this book and became utterly engrossed in its tale of a young slave boy in Barbados in the 1830's. The title character, Washington Black, is that slave boy, and the details of his first years are horrendous. He is all alone, with no family, on a sugar plantation owned by a cruel master. He is sent to live with a fiercely strong woman, Kit. Kit is a "Saltwater", someone who was born across the sea in Africa. She is frightening at first to Wash, (the title character' nickname), but quickly she becomes his protector and teacher. When things get really bad on their plantation they plan to take their own lives so they can return to where their ancestors are. I should warn the feint of heart that the early parts of the book detail some horrific treatment of the enslaved people which can be hard to read.
When Wash is 11 years old the master's brother arrives and decides to take Wash away from Kit, to be his manservant and scientific assistant.. Titch, the brother, is not cruel and is focused solely on observing the natural world around him and on getting his flying contraption, a hot-air balloon to take flight. Titch teaches Wash the basics of reading and math, and Wash is a quick student. Wash is also a skilled artist, a trait which was discovered only when he went to live with Titch and had access to paper and charcoal.
A bond is formed between the two, and when sudden events cause them to flee the plantation, they become fugitives in America. (This is not a spoiler as it is on the book cover.) They become separated and the story then focuses on Wash and how he survives, alone, in a strange world.
The crux of the story, in my opinion, is whether Wash and Titch will reunite, and what that meeting will be like. Many other events occur, and the author's depiction of Wash, and the people he meets, the things he endures, makes for a great read.
I will not give away the ending, though I will say I was a little disappointed. I am not sure why, except that it was somewhat ambiguous. Nevertheless, the book got under my skin, it is beautifully written and the person of George Washington Black came to life for me.
When Wash is 11 years old the master's brother arrives and decides to take Wash away from Kit, to be his manservant and scientific assistant.. Titch, the brother, is not cruel and is focused solely on observing the natural world around him and on getting his flying contraption, a hot-air balloon to take flight. Titch teaches Wash the basics of reading and math, and Wash is a quick student. Wash is also a skilled artist, a trait which was discovered only when he went to live with Titch and had access to paper and charcoal.
A bond is formed between the two, and when sudden events cause them to flee the plantation, they become fugitives in America. (This is not a spoiler as it is on the book cover.) They become separated and the story then focuses on Wash and how he survives, alone, in a strange world.
The crux of the story, in my opinion, is whether Wash and Titch will reunite, and what that meeting will be like. Many other events occur, and the author's depiction of Wash, and the people he meets, the things he endures, makes for a great read.
I will not give away the ending, though I will say I was a little disappointed. I am not sure why, except that it was somewhat ambiguous. Nevertheless, the book got under my skin, it is beautifully written and the person of George Washington Black came to life for me.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
fascinating people and plot. I really enjoyed getting to know Wash.
I am sure this book is a hit for someone...just not me.
It’s possible the author was going for a direct foil to the white savior narrative that seems like the usual fare, so that’s something I can applaud in addition to her writing. But ultimately both the story and style are forgettable - the plot is contrived and the plot drives everything so by halfway everything just sags and loses momentum. The characters are not fully realized and only sad mannequins to be wheeled around the globe according to coincidence.
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Abandonment, Colonisation
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes