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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
reflective
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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While this could very well have been a novel about the horrors of a slave plantation in Barbados during the 1830's, it is much more than this concept. It is also a coming of age novel that deals with trials and tribulations that only a slave on the run to freedom could ever encounter.
George Washington Black, also known as Wash, is a young slave in the sugar fields when he is suddenly called to the big house one night. The plantation owner's brother, Christopher Wilde, is visiting and in need of a young boy to assist him in his scientific work. He choses Wash to help him accomplish his tasks, namely the completion of a hot air balloon/flying contraption. Wash's gift for drawing becomes apparent and is encouraged by Christopher as they continue to work together, becoming equal partners in their flying machine. However, when a cousin of Christopher comes to the planation as well, the events surrounding his death cause Christopher and Wash to take their flying machine and run. And so begins the adventures of Wash as he follows Christopher north, to the Arctic in search of the Wilde brother's father, an explorer gone for many years. Wash begins to make a life of his own as he is inadvertently free and yet still hunted down by the planation owner as a runaway. I adored Wash as a character, he was so humble and genuine. The fear he felt being hunted down as a runaway was so real and his emotions as he continued to find people of his past or find out elements about his own family history was just astoundingly moving. It was hard to believe that by the end of it all, Wash was still barely twenty years old, for he felt so much older and wiser than the years given to him in this novel. Though, I suppose, such a thing happens to a person who is forced to grow up faster than they normally would, but it could also reflect his genius as an illustrator and a scientist. I like that Wash was able to confront the hardship of all he went through, scars on his face and all, and still know that he created something great even if his name is not on it. Yes, he showed bitterness, but who wouldn't concerning some of the things he went through. All around, Wash was a well rounded character in a beautiful story that highlighted triumph and love alongside hardship.
This novel could have highlighted so many elements of plantation life as a slave and I enjoyed that it was instead about Wash being an artist and a creator. It was about his triumph over it all and embracing that which haunted him. I greatly enjoyed reading a character such as him.
George Washington Black, also known as Wash, is a young slave in the sugar fields when he is suddenly called to the big house one night. The plantation owner's brother, Christopher Wilde, is visiting and in need of a young boy to assist him in his scientific work. He choses Wash to help him accomplish his tasks, namely the completion of a hot air balloon/flying contraption. Wash's gift for drawing becomes apparent and is encouraged by Christopher as they continue to work together, becoming equal partners in their flying machine. However, when a cousin of Christopher comes to the planation as well, the events surrounding his death cause Christopher and Wash to take their flying machine and run. And so begins the adventures of Wash as he follows Christopher north, to the Arctic in search of the Wilde brother's father, an explorer gone for many years. Wash begins to make a life of his own as he is inadvertently free and yet still hunted down by the planation owner as a runaway. I adored Wash as a character, he was so humble and genuine. The fear he felt being hunted down as a runaway was so real and his emotions as he continued to find people of his past or find out elements about his own family history was just astoundingly moving. It was hard to believe that by the end of it all, Wash was still barely twenty years old, for he felt so much older and wiser than the years given to him in this novel. Though, I suppose, such a thing happens to a person who is forced to grow up faster than they normally would, but it could also reflect his genius as an illustrator and a scientist. I like that Wash was able to confront the hardship of all he went through, scars on his face and all, and still know that he created something great even if his name is not on it. Yes, he showed bitterness, but who wouldn't concerning some of the things he went through. All around, Wash was a well rounded character in a beautiful story that highlighted triumph and love alongside hardship.
This novel could have highlighted so many elements of plantation life as a slave and I enjoyed that it was instead about Wash being an artist and a creator. It was about his triumph over it all and embracing that which haunted him. I greatly enjoyed reading a character such as him.
My first read for 2019 and I was hooked at the first page. A dazzling novel about a boy who rises from the ashes of slavery to become a free man of the world. Beyond her strong characterization, Edugyan just plain writes well. Her story is bright and fresh, avoiding common clichés and building anticipation for the next bend in the story's road. From the first page you are fully invested, ready and willing to follow the young protagonist wherever he may lead.
Fascinating story, fast paced, well written. Will make a great TV show. I lowered the stars because it lagged in the last third, as the main character was listless and the love interest was lackluster. But overall a great historical fiction.
This is the best book I’ve read so far this year. A sweeping story that takes you from the brutal life of a plantation slave in the carribbean, sea journeys, arctic tundra life to Europe. Young Washington Black meets many fascinating characters who help him discover his talents and quest for knowledge. I did not want the adventure to end
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes