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A review by passionyoungwrites
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
“There are several kinds of happiness Washington. Sometimes it is not for us to choose, or even understand, the one granted us.”
🦅
Named “George Washington Black” by his former slave master, Wash sees and lives the happenings on a Barbados Sugar Plantation. Watched over and protected by a woman that goes by “Big Kit”, who makes Wash to believe they the only way out of slavery is to die. She tells him that his death, or any slaves death, will allow their spirit to go back to their motherland. That belief is altered once the new Master sees that the slaves are committing suicide to make that happen.
🦅
Wash is then summoned to the new masters brother quarters, where he is told that he will work as an assistant - no more a field slave. His live basically changes and still he is fearful for a while.
Some time later, a white man is killed or I should say dies in his presence and Wash then has a bounty out on his head.
🦅
Wash is one of few slaves that gets to see a white man’s mercy. In this story we travel with Wash and see him navigate life as a free man. Making choices along the way that suites him. He carries his drawings and love for science with him throughout the years and leads a life mostly to his liking.
🦅
Named “George Washington Black” by his former slave master, Wash sees and lives the happenings on a Barbados Sugar Plantation. Watched over and protected by a woman that goes by “Big Kit”, who makes Wash to believe they the only way out of slavery is to die. She tells him that his death, or any slaves death, will allow their spirit to go back to their motherland. That belief is altered once the new Master sees that the slaves are committing suicide to make that happen.
🦅
Wash is then summoned to the new masters brother quarters, where he is told that he will work as an assistant - no more a field slave. His live basically changes and still he is fearful for a while.
Some time later, a white man is killed or I should say dies in his presence and Wash then has a bounty out on his head.
🦅
Wash is one of few slaves that gets to see a white man’s mercy. In this story we travel with Wash and see him navigate life as a free man. Making choices along the way that suites him. He carries his drawings and love for science with him throughout the years and leads a life mostly to his liking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Suicide, Blood, and Suicide attempt