Washington Black

Esi Edugyan

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Who Would Like This Book:

This novel is a whirlwind journey - think Dickensian drama meets Jules Verne adventure - with a unique protagonist: George Washington Black, a young enslaved boy with a brilliant mind and a knack for scientific illustration. The writing is lush, immersive, and often poetic; the settings jump from a brutal Barbados plantation to the icy Arctic and Victorian London, keeping you on your toes. Readers who love historical fiction with a splash of the fantastical, stories about self-discovery, and nuanced explorations of freedom and identity will find lots to love here. If you like character-driven stories that raise philosophical questions and feature complex relationships, especially those tinged with hope, heartbreak, and adventure, add this to your TBR.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the plot a bit far-fetched, with too many coincidences and a pace that jumps from place to place - sort of like an adventure novel that sometimes stretches believability. Others felt the characters occasionally lacked depth, or that Washington’s quick transformation from traumatized child to scientific prodigy felt a bit rushed or improbable. If you’re looking for strict historical accuracy or dislike ambiguous, open-ended conclusions, this might not hit the mark. The story’s drifting structure and uneven pacing in the second half also left some readers feeling unsatisfied.

A beautifully written, genre-blurring adventure with big ideas about freedom, identity, and belonging. A must-read for fans of literary historical fiction - just be ready to suspend a little disbelief along the way.

About:

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan is a historical fiction novel that follows the journey of a young slave boy named Washington Black on a sugar plantation in Barbados. The story revolves around his escape from slavery, his adventures across various continents, and his exploration of themes such as freedom, human relationships, and the impact of slavery. The narrative blends elements of magical realism and fantastical adventures, taking readers on a journey from Barbados to Virginia, Nova Scotia, London, Africa, and Morocco. The book delves into the complexities of societal structures, the brutality of slavery, and the quest for identity and agency in a world filled with challenges.

The novel is praised for its intricate storytelling, vivid descriptions, and the exploration of significant themes such as the nature of relationships, human resilience, and the pursuit of freedom. Through the character of Washington Black, the author delves into the emotional and psychological struggles faced by individuals living in a world marked by slavery and oppression. The book offers a unique perspective on historical events, blending realism with elements of fantasy to create a compelling narrative that challenges readers to reflect on the complexities of human experiences and societal structures.

Characters:

Characters are deeply developed, with Washington Black at the center as a complex individual navigating freedom and identity. Titch serves as a mentor, embodying both enlightenment and the contradictions of his privilege.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is lyrical and evocative, with rich imagery that captures both the brutality of slavery and the beauty of adventure. However, some readers noted a lack of cohesion in the storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows George Washington Black, an enslaved boy whose life dramatically shifts when his master's brother takes him on as an assistant. Their journey leads them through thrilling adventures, addressing themes of slavery, freedom, and personal growth.

Setting:

Set in the 1830s, the story begins on a brutal sugar plantation in Barbados and spans several global locales, enhancing the narrative's exploration of freedom and identity.

Pacing:

Pacing is generally brisk and engaging, especially in the first half, though it becomes uneven in the latter sections, leading some readers to feel a sense of aimlessness.

No one grieved him; in the fields we hung our heads, keening, grieving for ourselves and the estate sale that must follow. He died very old. I saw him only at a distance: stooped, thin, asleep in a sh...

Notes:

The novel is set in the first third of the 19th century, particularly around the year 1830.

George Washington Black, known as Wash, is an 11-year-old slave on a sugar plantation in Barbados.

Wash has a mother figure named Big Kit who looks out for him, but she can also be cruel.

Wash is chosen by his master's brother, Christopher Wilde (Titch), to be his servant and assistant in scientific experiments.

Titch is portrayed as a kind-hearted, gentle man who becomes a father figure to Wash, teaching him to read and introducing him to the natural world.

The story includes themes of adventure as Wash travels from Barbados to places like Virginia, the Arctic, and England.

Wash suffers severe facial burns from an accident involving Titch's flying machine, leaving him disfigured.

The novel explores ideas of freedom and identity, asking what it truly means to be free in a world still steeped in racial prejudice.

Despite his talents, Wash struggles for recognition and credit for his scientific contributions throughout the novel.

The book touches on the brutal realities of slavery while also weaving in elements of magical realism.

Esi Edugyan's writing is often described as lyrical and beautifully crafted, drawing readers into the story's vivid imagery.

The octopus becomes a significant symbol within the novel, representing both beauty and the struggle for survival.

The novel was shortlisted for both the Man Booker Prize and the Giller Prize, garnering critical acclaim for its exploration of complex themes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Washington Black contains high content warnings for themes of slavery, violence, emotional trauma, disfigurement, and suicide.

Has Romance?

While romance is not the primary focus of the story, there are notable romantic elements between Washington and Tanna that develop throughout the narrative.

From The Publisher:

One of the New York Times Book Review TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

Eleven-year-old George Washington Black-or Wash-a field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is initially terrified when he is chosen as the manservant of his master's brother. To his surprise, however, 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, they must abandon everything and flee together. Over the course of their travels, what brings Wash and Christopher together will tear them apart, propelling Wash ever farther across the globe in search of his true self. Spanning the Caribbean to the frozen Far North, London to Morocco, Washington Black is a story of self-invention and betrayal, of love and redemption, and of a world destroyed and made whole again.

One of the Best Books of the Year

The Boston Globe ● The Washington Post ● Time ● Entertainment Weekly ● San Francisco Chronicle ● Financial Times ● Minneapolis Star Tribune ● NPR ● The Economist ● Bustle ● The Dallas Morning News ● Slate ● Kirkus Reviews

September 2018

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386 pages

Ratings (13)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (7)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (42):

Read It (14)
Want To Read (21)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (6)

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Washington Black?

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About the Author:

Esi Edugyan is author of the novels The Second Life of Samuel Tyne and Half-Blood Blues, which won the Scotiabank Giller Prize and was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize, the Governor General's Literary Award, the Rogers Writers' Trust…

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