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The Water Dancer: A Novel
This is the dramatic story of an atrocity inflicted on generations of women, men, and children—the violent and capricious separation of families—and the war they waged to simply make lives with the people they loved. Written by one of today’s most exciting thinkers and writers, The Water Dancer is a propulsive, transcendent work that restores the humanity of those from whom everything was stolen.
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Community Reviews
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
403 pages
What’s it about?
Hiram is born into slavery in Virginia. When he is a young boy his mother is sold away. All memories of his mother go away with her. Years later, Hiram almost drowns and discovers a strange power within himself. He soon decides to run- and the Underground Railroad is waiting for him. The organization is aware of Hiram, and his unusual powers...
What did it make me think about?
Power. Brutality. Humanity. Perseverance.
Should I read it?
This was a really good book. Do not let the first 15 pages deter you. If you stick with it, the story becomes more straight forward. This book reminded me in ways of Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, or Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. All thought provoking books about this time period.
Quote-
"The Quality, for instance, did not inquire on the inner workings of their 'people'. They knew our names and they knew our parents. But they did not know us, because not knowing was essential to their power. To sell a child right from under his mother, you must know that mother only in the thinnest possible way. To strip a man down, condemn him to be beaten, flayed alive, then anointed with salt water, you cannot feel him the way you feel your own. You cannot see yourself in him, lest your hand be stayed, and your hand must never be stayed, because the moment it is, the Tasked will see that you see them, and thus see yourself. In that moment of profound understanding, you are all done, because you cannot rule as needed."
If you liked this try-
Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Ruby by Cynthia Bond
403 pages
What’s it about?
Hiram is born into slavery in Virginia. When he is a young boy his mother is sold away. All memories of his mother go away with her. Years later, Hiram almost drowns and discovers a strange power within himself. He soon decides to run- and the Underground Railroad is waiting for him. The organization is aware of Hiram, and his unusual powers...
What did it make me think about?
Power. Brutality. Humanity. Perseverance.
Should I read it?
This was a really good book. Do not let the first 15 pages deter you. If you stick with it, the story becomes more straight forward. This book reminded me in ways of Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, or Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. All thought provoking books about this time period.
Quote-
"The Quality, for instance, did not inquire on the inner workings of their 'people'. They knew our names and they knew our parents. But they did not know us, because not knowing was essential to their power. To sell a child right from under his mother, you must know that mother only in the thinnest possible way. To strip a man down, condemn him to be beaten, flayed alive, then anointed with salt water, you cannot feel him the way you feel your own. You cannot see yourself in him, lest your hand be stayed, and your hand must never be stayed, because the moment it is, the Tasked will see that you see them, and thus see yourself. In that moment of profound understanding, you are all done, because you cannot rule as needed."
If you liked this try-
Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Ruby by Cynthia Bond
I really enjoyed the story of Hiram Walker and how the author weaved in true stories from the Underground Railroad and Harriett Tubman. But after I was finished and reflecting on all of it, there were some big questions I had that were unanswered and some things that happened that I found no rhyme nor reason for, other than as purely a plot device, and I was troubled by that. But it was engaging as a story, and thought provoking.
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