Scan barcode
A review by charley0796
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I started this book thinking I was going to become completely absorbed and obsessed. The book started off in a very informative way, with a newspaper reporting feel. There’s high risk pursuits, tension and death. But I think it was the shock which kept me going.
I know many people have critiques the reality of the book, with many saying they didn’t like the fact the Underground Railroad was actually underground. I disagree, I thought this added a nice element of mystery to it and didn’t worry myself with the science of making such it! It also didn’t bother me that the historical accuracy might not have been on point because I knew that a lot of what was mentioned - the sterilisations and syphilis - is actually true.
What did bother me about this book was the choice to write in such a detached way. I felt like I was reading a newspaper report of fiction. I didn’t bond to the characters at all, I didn’t know what motivated Cora, nor did relate to her beyond her being a bookworm who occasionally critiqued white supremacy in her thoughts but never voiced them. There were so many names to remember, with many characters coming in just for a chapter before disappearing or dying. At first, I was shocked that one character died and promptly wondered what the point of him being included was. By the end of the book I stopped bothering with learning names and wondering about the point of a new character, they’d just die anyway. Now I don’t mind character deaths - but I didn’t even have time to get to know them or care about them, despite them being a big part of the characters life! Some chapters would also be inserted with random characters that were of no consequence - like one of a grave robber.
In sum, I love the idea of this book, it just needs more emotion and thought to help me bond to the story and characters.
I know many people have critiques the reality of the book, with many saying they didn’t like the fact the Underground Railroad was actually underground. I disagree, I thought this added a nice element of mystery to it and didn’t worry myself with the science of making such it! It also didn’t bother me that the historical accuracy might not have been on point because I knew that a lot of what was mentioned - the sterilisations and syphilis - is actually true.
What did bother me about this book was the choice to write in such a detached way. I felt like I was reading a newspaper report of fiction. I didn’t bond to the characters at all, I didn’t know what motivated Cora, nor did relate to her beyond her being a bookworm who occasionally critiqued white supremacy in her thoughts but never voiced them. There were so many names to remember, with many characters coming in just for a chapter before disappearing or dying. At first, I was shocked that one character died and promptly wondered what the point of him being included was. By the end of the book I stopped bothering with learning names and wondering about the point of a new character, they’d just die anyway. Now I don’t mind character deaths - but I didn’t even have time to get to know them or care about them, despite them being a big part of the characters life! Some chapters would also be inserted with random characters that were of no consequence - like one of a grave robber.
In sum, I love the idea of this book, it just needs more emotion and thought to help me bond to the story and characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault