Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Water Dancer

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

61 reviews

lizzie24601's review

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informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

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jedore's review

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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? It's complicated

4.0

They knew our names and they knew our parents. But they did not know us, because not knowing was essential to their power. To sell a child right from under his mother, you must know that mother only in the thinnest way possible. To strip a man down, condemn him to be beaten, flayed alive, then anointed with salt water, you cannot feel him the way you feel your own. You cannot see yourself in him, lest your hand be stayed, and your hand must never be stayed, because the moment it is, the Tasked will see that you see them, and thus see yourself. In that moment of profound understanding, you are all done, because you cannot rule as is needed.

This is a beautifully written novel that tells the story of Hiram Walker, a young man born into slavery with a mysterious power called "Conduction." This ability allows him to transport across great distances, a gift that becomes essential as he gets involved with the Underground Railroad. The novel is an emotional exploration of memory, family, and freedom, set against the backdrop of the antebellum South.

Coates' writing creates vivid imagery and conveys powerful emotions without making being overly complex or difficult to understand. His account of the Underground Railroad offers insights into the courage and ingenuity of those who risked everything for freedom through a combination of realism and magical realism. I'm not a big fan of mixing magical realism with historical fiction, so the former was a distraction for me.

Despite this, the story hit me hard. It's unfathomable that slavery was a reality, and Coates does not shy away from depicting its horrors. I was often flooded with empathy and outrage. There’s no doubt I would have joined the efforts of the Underground Railroad had I lived in that era.

This is a powerful and thought-provoking read!

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ibadella's review against another edition

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hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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sandysmith's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

There were parts of this book I loved, the historical story of plantation life and the darkness of plantation owners and the treatment of their slaves. Beautiful and hauntingly written. Hiram is the central character, and his mother is sold when he was nine. He is also the son of the plantation owner, but a slave never the less. Where it falls away for me is the introduction of conduction, a magical fantasy element that is where I feel the story fell short. That aside, it is a magical, lyrical, brutal story of oppression, separation, and resistance. It's a devastating but joyful read.

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mnatale100's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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itsbilliam's review

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hopeful inspiring mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.5

This book has such a powerful story and the writing is beautiful. Detailed, imaginative, and reflective. I do have to say it was hard book to get through. It had a very slow pace. I want to say that the slow pace was intentional due to the story and following the main character trying to free himself and those he loved from slavery through the underground railroad. You really did get to see how he lost his hope but gained it back and keeping the faith we through all the time to one day be free. It was truly a beautiful read.

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nehaanna's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

The writing is evocative and intoxicating. While slow in some parts, the plot moves quickly in the last third of the book as the main character finally reaches his appointed destiny and in so doing, peace with himself.

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