4.5

Washington Black is a slave born on a Caribbean plantation in the 1820s and this novel is told from his point-of-view, starting around age 11. His master's brother Titch brings him into his scientific endeavor to build a 'cloud cutter' contraption and after being witness to a death, Wash has to flee. And so an adventure begins across countries and years. Edugyan explores what it means to be owned, to be part of a family (or not), and Wash's coming of age in a world that barely sees him as a person.

There are a couple of things about this book that I wouldn't normally be into: it's an adventure story and the writing style is reminiscent of Dickens. If I'd heard either of these things before going into it, I might've passed. I'm so glad I didn't! Edugyan is a wonderful storyteller, and the novel is rich with detail and Wash's struggles with humanity.

I was enraptured by Graham's narration on this audiobook, which brought Wash to life and kept me wired throughout the story. After reading some other reviews, I wonder if this was the way to take in this book--the Dickensian prose might have bored me, though it was so classic and lovely to hear. The acting didn't let me ponder too much about events that felt a bit too fortuitous (another Dickensian trait) and yet simultaneously there were a lot of parts in which I probably would have paused and thought deeper about. Double-edged sword, I suppose. Graham infused Wash with such emotion and heartbreak, I often found myself saying things like "oh no" out loud.

This is a book that came to me via the Tournament of Books shortlist, as well as being in the NYTimes best books of the year. It's a wonderful ride, though the ending left me exhilarated but baffled. I think I wished for something more concrete, but I was sad to say goodbye to Wash all the same.