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56 pages 1 hour read

Washington Black

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

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Book Brief

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Esi Edugyan

Washington Black

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Caribbean • 1830s

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

830L

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Super Short Summary

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan chronicles the journey of Washington "Wash" Black, an enslaved boy from a Barbados plantation, who becomes the assistant to eccentric scientist Titch. As they embark on adventures involving science and escape efforts, Wash navigates the intricacies of race, freedom, identity, and relationships, while ultimately seeking to find his place in a challenging world. The book contains scenes involving slavery and violence.

Adventurous

Emotional

Mysterious

Challenging

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.1

77,659 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Esi Edugyan's Washington Black has garnered praise for its vivid storytelling, complex characters, and rich historical context, though some critics note a meandering plot and uneven pacing. The novel's exploration of themes like freedom and identity is compelling, with Edugyan's prose celebrated for its elegance and depth, despite occasional narrative digressions.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Washington Black?

Readers who enjoyed The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead or Life of Pi by Yann Martel will appreciate Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. This novel appeals to those interested in historical fiction, adventure, and themes of freedom and identity, offering a complex, character-driven narrative with rich, poetic prose.

4.1

77,659 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

George Washington "Wash" Black

A young enslaved boy with a talent for drawing and scientific curiosity, who navigates a life filled with both cruelty and wonder.

A scientifically-minded aristocrat who befriends Wash and offers him educational opportunities, while grappling with the moral complexities of his time.

A powerful and protective enslaved woman on Faith Plantation, who takes care of Wash with a fierce sense of loyalty.

The cruel and uncompromising owner of Faith Plantation, who embodies the harsh realities of slavery.

A fragile and melancholy cousin of Titch and Erasmus, disturbed by but largely detached from the brutal realities of plantation life.

A former accountant turned bounty hunter, whose pursuit of Wash and Titch reflects the twisted logic of a society built on slavery.

Titch and Erasmus’ father, a respected scientist with limited empathy and appreciation for Wash’s talents.

A spirited young woman with a unique biracial perspective, who shares a deep bond with Wash over their mutual interests in science and art.

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Caribbean • 1830s

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

830L

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