Washington Black
2018 • 334 pages
Ratings39
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings39
Average rating3.9
George Washington Black, or "Wash," an eleven-year-old field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is terrified to be chosen by his master's brother as his manservant. To his surprise, the eccentric Christopher Wilde turns out to be a naturalist, explorer, inventor, and abolitionist. Soon Wash is initiated into a world where a flying machine can carry a man across the sky, where even a boy born in chains may embrace a life of dignity and meaning--and where two people, separated by an impossible divide, can begin to see each other as human. But when a man is killed and a bounty is placed on Wash's head, Christopher and Wash must abandon everything. What follows is their flight along the eastern coast of America, and, finally, to a remote outpost in the Arctic. What brings Christopher and Wash together will tear them apart, propelling Wash even further across the globe in search of his true self.
Reviews with the most likes.
The premise and first half were so good, and the writing is great throughout, but the second half of the plot dragged with a lot of telling and overly wrapped up character connections. I was emotionally invested in Wash for almost all of the book, but the other two main characters didn't draw me in. Dion Graham's audio narration was excellent, but I switched to the book at the end to finish. I was so excited for this to be on next year's BOB list, I'm curious to hear what the kids will think about it.
Interesting - on my first reading, I gave this a three. On my second reading, a bit over a year later, I'm going to give it a 4.
I think on my first reading I was more caught up in possible plot issues, such as travel and finding people issues. However, on the second reading, I could focus more on the characters.
I'm still not entirely sure what I feel about this book, but I'm glad I read it again.
One sentence synopsis... An eccentric gentleman's choice of a young slave as his prodigy sets off a series of wonderful, heartbreaking adventures fueled by scientific enlightenment and world exploration. .
Read it if you liked... Fantasy works of Jules Verne. .
Dream casting... DeRon Horton as the older Wash and Jude Law as gentleman-scientist Titch Wilde.
It was entertaining enough to warrant a 4th star but there's no historical note and I consider that bad form. Ultimately didn't live up to the hype, imho, but that applies to most things in life.
