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A review by amber_ray
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
4.0
I’m giving this 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4.
‘Washington Black’, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, is a historical fiction novel which follows the life of a slave from a brutal sugar plantation in Barbados. Chosen as an apprentice for the master’s brother, “Titch,” Washington undertakes a whirlwind journey of escape and adventure that takes him all over the world - from America to the Arctic, and beyond.
Edugyan grapples with some important topics in the book, like the effects of slavery on perpetrators and questions of freedom, friendship, and identity. The first section of the novel, which takes place in Barbados, is the most hard-hitting and emotionally profound in my opinion. But despite the terrific writing, the latter portions lack the heft of other works dealing with similar themes (‘The Underground Railroad,’ for example).
Really, I’d say this reads more like a fantastical Victorian adventure than anything - interesting, engaging, accessible - amazing if you’re into that kind of thing. But for me it was just a little too far-fetched and a bit too optimistic (seriously, how do you travel to far flung continents with nothing but written correspondence and yet still manage to find who you’re looking for every. single. time?).
Despite falling a little flat, it’s still an incredibly well-written and imaginative work that I enjoyed reading and would definitely recommend, especially to anyone who likes a traditional narrator and timeline.
‘Washington Black’, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, is a historical fiction novel which follows the life of a slave from a brutal sugar plantation in Barbados. Chosen as an apprentice for the master’s brother, “Titch,” Washington undertakes a whirlwind journey of escape and adventure that takes him all over the world - from America to the Arctic, and beyond.
Edugyan grapples with some important topics in the book, like the effects of slavery on perpetrators and questions of freedom, friendship, and identity. The first section of the novel, which takes place in Barbados, is the most hard-hitting and emotionally profound in my opinion. But despite the terrific writing, the latter portions lack the heft of other works dealing with similar themes (‘The Underground Railroad,’ for example).
Really, I’d say this reads more like a fantastical Victorian adventure than anything - interesting, engaging, accessible - amazing if you’re into that kind of thing. But for me it was just a little too far-fetched and a bit too optimistic (seriously, how do you travel to far flung continents with nothing but written correspondence and yet still manage to find who you’re looking for every. single. time?).
Despite falling a little flat, it’s still an incredibly well-written and imaginative work that I enjoyed reading and would definitely recommend, especially to anyone who likes a traditional narrator and timeline.