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Washington Black

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Washington Black

By: Esi Edugyan
Narrated by: Dion Graham
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About this listen

SOON TO BE A MAJOR TV SERIES STARRING TOM ELLIS, RUPERT GRAVES AND STERLING K. BROWN

'A masterpiece' ATTICA LOCKE

'Strong, beautiful and beguiling' OBSERVER

'Destined to become a future classic ... that rare book that should appeal to every kind of reader' GUARDIAN

When two English brothers take the helm of a Barbados sugar plantation, Washington Black - an eleven-year-old field slave - finds himself selected as personal servant to one of them. The eccentric Christopher 'Titch' Wilde is a naturalist, explorer, scientist, inventor and abolitionist, whose single-minded pursuit of the perfect aerial machine mystifies all around him.
Titch's idealistic plans are soon shattered and Washington finds himself in mortal danger. They escape together, but then Titch disappears and Washington must make his way alone, following the promise of freedom further than he ever dreamed possible.
Inspired by a true story, Washington Black is an extraordinary tale of a world destroyed and made whole again.

©2018 Ideas of March Inc. (P)2018 Random House Audio African American Fiction Historical Fiction Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Inspiring Caribbean

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All stars
Most relevant
A rollicking adventure expertly perforned. I read this book but enjoyed the audiobook more, so welll was it narrated.

An adventure

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This book is so beautiful and awful and completely absorbing I finished it awhile back and it……they have stayed with me

Wonderful wonderful listen

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This put me in mind of, of course Twelve Years a Slave, but also Mark Twain and other books of that era. I saw it longlisted for the Man Booker and liked the sound of it, getting a copy of the Audible version.

Washington Black is a child slave in Barbados when he is selected to work for one of the two owner brothers. It is to change his life when he discovers his master is a scientist in need of a research assistant. His education and work will lift him from the sugar fields to a life that takes in half the globe, as he looks on it all from the point of view of a slave, a youth.

This started brilliantly, I loved Washington's character and seeing his evolution from scared boy to educated and appreciated young man, albeit still a slave. The story takes many turns, and I did feel a little exasperated and felt it lost direction. I found myself losing concentration at times towards the end and having to backtrack.

The style mimics fairly well a novel of the period, though in a less formal way, making it easier for modern audiences to listen/read without feeling overwhelmed with old-fashioned stylistic flourishes and language.

There are some emotive parts, some shocks, twists, but I did prefer the first half to the second.

An unusual subject, quite refreshing. I may have preferred this on paper as I did find myself drifting listening to the Audible version, though the narrator was clear and made a good 'Wash'.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

Slave's-eye worldview, a novel idea.

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Four Parts.
Six Years.
A lifetime.
Many lifetimes.
Another wake-up call.
Not just a story of an individual, but a sharp reminder of the past & present plight of so many.
A wonderful adventure story crammed with fear, hopes, violence, vibrant characters, history from 200 years ago and the current-day need to end intolerance that still lingers in society.

Elegant writing: profound history with a message for today too.

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It’s always a pleasure to immerse yourself in a beautifully written story. I suspect it will stay with me for a few days

Elegant, sad, important

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