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leahegood 's review for:
The Underground Railroad
by Colson Whitehead
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This doesn't feel like the kind of book to put a star rating to. Beautiful writing, heartbreaking content, not a story that is easy to read. There's no romanticizing (or even softening) of the portrayal of slavery in America in these pages. Even the north (compliant with the fugitive slave act) and underground railroad operatives (with varied personalities and motives) are shown in stark understatement.
At the same time, the horror of this narrative is real. Some dismiss it as revisionist, woke, or CRT propaganda. It's not. One need only read primary sources, such as William Still's The Underground Railroad, to recognize the truth in these fictionalized pages.
Is there value to a story as dark as this? I know it made me think, despite the topic and content not being new to me. And that's what the best fiction does.
Content Disclosure
Graphic violence, torture, and murder. Understated but direct r*pe and assault. Consistent use of racial slurs (I think there was other swearing as well, but I'm not positive). One brief but specific depiction of consensual s*x in a dream.
At the same time, the horror of this narrative is real. Some dismiss it as revisionist, woke, or CRT propaganda. It's not. One need only read primary sources, such as William Still's The Underground Railroad, to recognize the truth in these fictionalized pages.
Is there value to a story as dark as this? I know it made me think, despite the topic and content not being new to me. And that's what the best fiction does.
Content Disclosure
Graphic violence, torture, and murder. Understated but direct r*pe and assault. Consistent use of racial slurs (I think there was other swearing as well, but I'm not positive). One brief but specific depiction of consensual s*x in a dream.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Infertility, Rape, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail