A review by peachani
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I recently watched a YouTube video explaining the grimdark genre. The video described the origin of the genre, Warhammer. But I wonder—what could be a better indication of grimdark than the gruesome horrors and cruelties visited upon enslaved Black people in the United States? I'd consider this

(very nearly)

part of that genre.

Note: the book doesn't go into more detail than is needed, so I wouldn't consider it trauma porn.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Chronic illness, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol