George Washington Black, or "Wash," an eleven-year-old field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is terrified to be chosen by his master's brother as his manservant. To his surprise, 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, Christopher and Wash must abandon everything. What follows is their flight along the eastern coast of America, and, finally, to a remote outpost in the Arctic. What brings Christopher and Wash together will tear them apart, propelling Wash even further across the globe in …
George Washington Black, or "Wash," an eleven-year-old field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is terrified to be chosen by his master's brother as his manservant. To his surprise, 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, Christopher and Wash must abandon everything. What follows is their flight along the eastern coast of America, and, finally, to a remote outpost in the Arctic. What brings Christopher and Wash together will tear them apart, propelling Wash even further across the globe in search of his true self.
I devoured, but slowly, because there's so much to absorb here. Not sure what coherent thoughts I have, nor am I sure how to think about the ending. But I'm so glad I finally read this!
A beautiful piece of literary fiction.
I got caught up in Wash’s saga, and about 3/4 of the way through I was like, “where is this going?” But then I started to look for more metaphorical meanings in the work. And wow! It came into focus. So then it reminded me of various other stories, such as Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis.
This is one of the better books I've read in a while. Above all, I believe a book should keep me wanting to turn the pages, and this one fit the bill.
Edugyan's writing is, as always, lush and evocative. Her imagery is on point, enveloping the reader in the worlds she creates. Her major characters are (mostly) complex and compelling.
Minor spoilers to follow...
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Where the novel falls short is in its coincidences. I don't mind stretching my imagination--I enjoy fantasy, for instance--but within that stretch, there has to be a scaffolding of believability. When the characters just happen to run across one another, such as when Wash sees Willard at the hanging, or when the Moroccan guide happens upon Wash, that scaffolding collapses. That is why I couldn't give this book 5 stars.
