I really enjoyed reading about the topic of slavery from the British point of view as opposed to the American. My interest in the black people who migrated to Canada is fascinating.
Lovely nuanced review! I keep going back-and-forth about whether this will be a book for me, but you’ve tipped the scales once again in favor of me wanting to try it sooner rather than later! :-)
Great to hear your thoughts about this. I like your point about the way different characters experience different forms of their freedom being suppressed. The scene where Washington swims under water in a diving suit is SO beautifully written. Fingers crossed she wins the Booker!
Yes that scene was beautifully written. I hope she wins too, but I'm listening to Milkman and I think it has a chance too. Still crossing my fingers...
I'd heard of this book but was not interested in reading it til now - you always have an interesting take! And I always love your look - hair/glasses/makeup warm and lovely! Thanks for another addition to my already huge TBR pile, LOL!
I read The Second Life of Samuel Tyne a while back, and I admired Esi Edugyan's writing even though the storyline felt moody and strange to me. Your review makes me want to get Washington Black - even though I'm trying to stop leaping at so many new releases!!
I cannot wait to read this one... I think it sounds freaking fantastic. I am pending for a UK copy - the US cover is awful. LOL. It sounds like it has so many levels. I am so excited.
Yes I think you'll like this one Russell. Definitely the UK cover. I don't know what's going on in the States are our graphic designers sleeping on the job?
I read and enjoyed Washington Black for all the reasons you mentioned in your vid. I was looking forward to reading it and it didn't disappoint. Although I didn't read Half-Blood Blues, I read The Second Life of Samuel Tyne and agree that her writing has improved a great deal. Re: your noting it to Huckleberry Finn, someone likened it to The Good Lord Bird (minus the satire) and I can see that. Great review! Here's to continued success for Ms. Edugyan!
Yes I can see The god Lord Bird too! I still need to read The Second Life of Samuel Tyne. Yes hope she wins the Man booker. That would be great for her career.
"Washington Black" was just shortlisted for the Giller Prize here in Canada! I have the opportunity to hear the five shortlisted authors speak in mid-October and and am eagerly awaiting the event as I am anxious to hear Esi Edugyan's thoughts on writing this novel.
Started to read this earlier today and loving the progress so far. I’m now even more excited to continue reading after watching your review. New to your channel and subscribing! Have a good day.
I just finished this book and I found it marvellous! I thought it was going to be sci-fi but not all. I felt the same thing regarding the freedom aspects of the book.
Great video! I just finished the book, enjoyed it, and really appreciate your thoughts! I'd be very curious to see what you think about the ending of this book.
The ending is left open which seems to be a thing that this author does. She did the same thing in half Blood Blues. I feel like Wash just wants his freedom and feels disconnected from "family".I think he ends the book wandering to freedom.
Great review. I'm looking to reading the book. I'm curious about the why you decided on the UK cover version? I think I prefer this cover to what's going to be used for US.
So happy to see this review. After reading that Hoe, I was like...Caribbean slave lit and/or Man Booker books may not be for me 😂. But I REALLY want to read this. Even more now.
I just finished this, and rushed to book tube to find someone talking about it... im clearly WAY late to the party... I just found that I liked it. I didn't love it. I felt like it was a good mix of character and plot driven, which made it feel like a good pace, even if things in the plot were going slow, the character development felt progressing. however, at the end, it felt like it was a satisfying character ending, and a poor plot ending. so it was partially unsatisfying of an ending for me. the dramatic and poetic part of the ending felt too obvious. *spoilerish?* I felt like it just made him seem like he just wasn't satisfied that everyone elses reality wasn't the reality he had decided was true? im trying to not be spoilery... lol...
Yes the ending isn't the best. it is unsatisfying but I totally agreed with the way you've explained the ending. This is the second book I'vee read by this author and it seem she has a problem with endings.
I really enjoyed reading about the topic of slavery from the British point of view as opposed to the American. My interest in the black people who migrated to Canada is fascinating.
Me too. I think that's topic we readers don't think about very much.
Lovely nuanced review! I keep going back-and-forth about whether this will be a book for me, but you’ve tipped the scales once again in favor of me wanting to try it sooner rather than later! :-)
Thanks for trusting me! I'm sure you'll enjoy the book. Come back and let me know how it goes for you. Happy reading!
Great to hear your thoughts about this. I like your point about the way different characters experience different forms of their freedom being suppressed.
The scene where Washington swims under water in a diving suit is SO beautifully written.
Fingers crossed she wins the Booker!
Yes that scene was beautifully written. I hope she wins too, but I'm listening to Milkman and I think it has a chance too. Still crossing my fingers...
I’m glad you did this review. I already volunteered to write about it for the holiday newsletter at my job. I also may pick up half blood blues too.
That would make a wonderful article to read and encourage people to buy and read.
Excellent review! I’m adding this to my TBR now. Thank you!💕✨
Thank you!
This one caught my eye a bit ago so I’ve been waiting to hear someone’s thoughts. I’m glad you enjoyed it! -Becks
I'd heard of this book but was not interested in reading it til now - you always have an interesting take! And I always love your look - hair/glasses/makeup warm and lovely! Thanks for another addition to my already huge TBR pile, LOL!
Aww! Thank you so much! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! I really appreciate it. Enjoy Washington Black if you get around to it.
Great review! I was already going to read this, but now I am even more intrigued.
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. Tried to keep it short bu failed miserably at almost 10 minutes long. Hope you didn't mind.
Great review Didi! I haven’t heard of this novel and probably would have passed on it. Now I’m intrigued!
I think you'd like it. Give it a try.
It is a lovely book and I love your review, that's the reason I brought it thank you.
Excellent review. I definitely want to try this one.
Thank you! Hope you like the book.
I read The Second Life of Samuel Tyne a while back, and I admired Esi Edugyan's writing even though the storyline felt moody and strange to me. Your review makes me want to get Washington Black - even though I'm trying to stop leaping at so many new releases!!
I totally understand. Take your time. Wait a bit. Washington Black will be there waiting for you. ;)
I cannot wait to read this one... I think it sounds freaking fantastic. I am pending for a UK copy - the US cover is awful. LOL. It sounds like it has so many levels. I am so excited.
Yes I think you'll like this one Russell. Definitely the UK cover. I don't know what's going on in the States are our graphic designers sleeping on the job?
I would love for her to win. This book is so nuanced. There’s just so much to think about in it, and so many approaches to discussing it.
Absolutely!
I read and enjoyed Washington Black for all the reasons you mentioned in your vid. I was looking forward to reading it and it didn't disappoint. Although I didn't read Half-Blood Blues, I read The Second Life of Samuel Tyne and agree that her writing has improved a great deal. Re: your noting it to Huckleberry Finn, someone likened it to The Good Lord Bird (minus the satire) and I can see that. Great review! Here's to continued success for Ms. Edugyan!
Yes I can see The god Lord Bird too! I still need to read The Second Life of Samuel Tyne. Yes hope she wins the Man booker. That would be great for her career.
"Washington Black" was just shortlisted for the Giller Prize here in Canada! I have the opportunity to hear the five shortlisted authors speak in mid-October and and am eagerly awaiting the event as I am anxious to hear Esi Edugyan's thoughts on writing this novel.
Sounds like I should get to this before the end of the year! Great review!
Thank you!
Started to read this earlier today and loving the progress so far. I’m now even more excited to continue reading after watching your review.
New to your channel and subscribing! Have a good day.
I'm glad! Thanks for subscribing! You have a good day too!
Another great review & that UK edition is so much prettier than the US one.
Thank you Monica! And Double Yes to the UK edition!
I picked up the U.K. edition from Book Depository cause the US cover is drastically different. After your review, I am looking forward to this one.
I hope you enjoy it!
Great review! Going to download it now.
Enjoy! Let me know what you think when you're done.
Thanks for the review. This book is on my TBR!
I just finished this book and I found it marvellous! I thought it was going to be sci-fi but not all. I felt the same thing regarding the freedom aspects of the book.
Glad to hear it!
Great review my dear. Your review has definitely pull me in. I will definitely check into this one.
As Always
Thank you
Sylvia 🌻
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it.
Great video! I just finished the book, enjoyed it, and really appreciate your thoughts! I'd be very curious to see what you think about the ending of this book.
The ending is left open which seems to be a thing that this author does. She did the same thing in half Blood Blues. I feel like Wash just wants his freedom and feels disconnected from "family".I think he ends the book wandering to freedom.
thank you for this review.
Thank you for watching Crystal!
This sounds interesting thanks for the review.
Great review. I'm looking to reading the book. I'm curious about the why you decided on the UK cover version? I think I prefer this cover to what's going to be used for US.
Thank you! I live in France and most English language books come from the UK. Besides that I often like the loss of the UK covers over the US ones.
I just picked this up on the #bookdepository...great review
Happy reading!
Washington Black was also shortlisted for The Giller Prize.
Yes I realized. I forgot to mention it.
So happy to see this review. After reading that Hoe, I was like...Caribbean slave lit and/or Man Booker books may not be for me 😂. But I REALLY want to read this. Even more now.
I just finished this, and rushed to book tube to find someone talking about it... im clearly WAY late to the party... I just found that I liked it. I didn't love it. I felt like it was a good mix of character and plot driven, which made it feel like a good pace, even if things in the plot were going slow, the character development felt progressing. however, at the end, it felt like it was a satisfying character ending, and a poor plot ending. so it was partially unsatisfying of an ending for me. the dramatic and poetic part of the ending felt too obvious.
*spoilerish?*
I felt like it just made him seem like he just wasn't satisfied that everyone elses reality wasn't the reality he had decided was true? im trying to not be spoilery... lol...
Yes the ending isn't the best. it is unsatisfying but I totally agreed with the way you've explained the ending. This is the second book I'vee read by this author and it seem she has a problem with endings.
This book gave me heavy YA vibes. I was quite disappointed.
I didn't feel YA vibes at all. Thank God! In general I don't read YA, except every now and then.
Brown Girl Reading neither do I! Which is why I was shocked that the story felt that way to me. I'm definitely rooting for her though!
a good review
Thank you!
What do you rate this one?
I rate this one a 4-4,5 stars.