bebidocrimes's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Colonisation, Cursing, Racial slurs, Blood, Grief, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/injury detail, Racism, Slavery, and Suicide
katiehughes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, and Racism
wordsofclover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence
obviousthings's review against another edition
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Gore, Racism, Child death, Slavery, Violence, Racial slurs, Suicide, Blood, Injury/injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Pedophilia
izwit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Racial slurs, Slavery, Suicide, Injury/injury detail, Murder, and Racism
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Racial slurs
thenonbinaryc's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Injury/injury detail, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Slavery, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, Classism, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Murder, and Suicide
reading_rainbows's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Injury/injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Abandonment, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Child abuse, and Death
gwendolynaudrey_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Racial slurs, Abandonment, and Child abuse
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Author: Edi Edugyan
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.0
Pub Date: August 2 2018
T H R E E • W O R D S
Cinematic • Imaginative • Lengthy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Wash is an 11-year-old orphan slave working the fields in Barbados. His owner, Erasmus, is a mean spirited racist who mistreats everyone. When Erasmus' brother, Titch, selects Wash to be his sidekick - helping with his experiments,- what follows is an escape and adventure spanning many years and continents.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Rating this book is complicated! On the one hand we have an adventurous historical narrative focusing on slavery and freedom. Through great attention to historical detail and language, as well as thoughtful writing, the author offers a unique perspective on identity and what makes a meaningful life. And yet on the other hand, I found myself skimming, eventually needing to tandem listen in order to get through it. It started out so strong, introducing many plot lines, but eventually turned into an endless chain of events that didn't really go anywhere and felt as though it tried to pack too much into one story. Then, of course, there's the ending and all of the loose ends that just felt disappointing.
Washington Black wasn't my typical historical fiction read, and I cannot really say I enjoyed my reading experience, but one thing is clear, Esi Edugyan is a gifted writer! I'll definitely be checking out more of her work down the road.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who enjoy lyrical prose
• Book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Would I choose so again? Well, not that is a questions. I will only say that is I have acquired any wisdom from Big Kit, it is to live always with your eyes cast forward, to seek what will be, for the path behind can never be retaken."
"'You cannot know the true nature of another's suffering.' 'No. But you can try your damnedest not to worsen it.'"
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide and Torture
dismemberment