this book is harrowing, tragic, and emotional, with some stunning prose by whitehead. it dives deeply into the tormented and horrific history of slavery in america, and does so very unflinchingly. the journey for freedom is presented in a literal sense; the underground railroad taking a physical manifestation as we follow cora's struggle for freedom. literary and historical fiction operating together at a high level. 

this is not an comfortable read, but it shouldn't be. a must-read