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400
Novel • Fiction
Caribbean • 1830s
2018
Adult
18+ years
830L
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
77,659 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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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.
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.
77,659 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Christopher "Titch" Wilde
A scientifically-minded aristocrat who befriends Wash and offers him educational opportunities, while grappling with the moral complexities of his time.
Big Kit
A powerful and protective enslaved woman on Faith Plantation, who takes care of Wash with a fierce sense of loyalty.
Erasmus Wilde
The cruel and uncompromising owner of Faith Plantation, who embodies the harsh realities of slavery.
Philip Wilde
A fragile and melancholy cousin of Titch and Erasmus, disturbed by but largely detached from the brutal realities of plantation life.
John Willard
A former accountant turned bounty hunter, whose pursuit of Wash and Titch reflects the twisted logic of a society built on slavery.
Mr. Wilde
Titch and Erasmus’ father, a respected scientist with limited empathy and appreciation for Wash’s talents.
Tanna Goff
A spirited young woman with a unique biracial perspective, who shares a deep bond with Wash over their mutual interests in science and art.
400
Novel • Fiction
Caribbean • 1830s
2018
Adult
18+ years
830L
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