Sign in with Facebook
Diane S ☔'s Reviews > The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad
by
by
Cora, was a young slave on a Georgia plantation when her mother escaped, leaving Cora to the mercy of the other women in the quarters. Despite hiring a notorious slave tracker, she was never found.To say this plantation did not treat its slaves well is an understatement, some of the punishments devised caused me to, skim over them they are that horrific. When a new intelligent black man, a young man whose master had falsely promised to free him on her death, arrives as a new slave on the plantation, he and a series of events will cause them both to flee.
Second book on slavery I have read in a matter of days, and it doesn't get any easier. Will never understand man's cruelty towards others, no matter how much I read. This is a very good book though, and I just loved the character of Cora, she is amazing in so many ways. The underground railroad played an important part in bringing slaves to freedom and the author does something entirely original with this concept. A touch of magical realism that allows us to follow Cora as she is taken state to state. Forced sterilizations in South Carolinas, the fugitive slave act and its consequences, those hired to being back runaway slaves and what happens to, those who aid these slaves, not a pretty picture. We do meet many good people though, people that at great risk to themselves aided those they could.
Tough read, worthy read. Imaginative and inventive. Another new author for me, but I will be looking into his other books.
ARC from publisher.
Second book on slavery I have read in a matter of days, and it doesn't get any easier. Will never understand man's cruelty towards others, no matter how much I read. This is a very good book though, and I just loved the character of Cora, she is amazing in so many ways. The underground railroad played an important part in bringing slaves to freedom and the author does something entirely original with this concept. A touch of magical realism that allows us to follow Cora as she is taken state to state. Forced sterilizations in South Carolinas, the fugitive slave act and its consequences, those hired to being back runaway slaves and what happens to, those who aid these slaves, not a pretty picture. We do meet many good people though, people that at great risk to themselves aided those they could.
Tough read, worthy read. Imaginative and inventive. Another new author for me, but I will be looking into his other books.
ARC from publisher.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
The Underground Railroad.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Comments Showing 1-32 of 32 (32 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Angela M
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Jun 11, 2016 02:57PM
As you might guess , I have this one too ! Great minds .
reply
|
flag
Wonderful review, Diane! This one is going to be tough for me, too. :)
Moving thoughts , Diane . Wonderful review.
Wonderful review, Diane. I will look for the book this autumn.
Nice review. Sounds like a difficult read at times. I have this one on my list. I have plans to see this author speak in my town in a few month so really want to get this one.
Think he is a real talent. Lucky you.
Thanks Jennifer.Thanks Angela. Can't wait to see if we agree.
Thanks, Kathleen and PorshaJo.
Think I need to take a break from slavery now.
Great review Diane. This sounds like a worthy read. I was turned down for this one but hope to get to it once it's published.
Thanks Stephanie and Esil. yes a must read when you can.
Fantastic review. I'm really looking forward to this one.
Think you will find much in it to like, Jennifer and thanks. sill look forward to your thoughts.
Terrific review, I know how you feel about books that deal with slavery (among other topics). I'm looking forward to reading this!
Thanks, Cheri. Hope you like it when you do read it,
You're really on a roll, aren't you?!
Loving it too, but as readers we all know it will end. Like gamblers too.
Excited for this one, sounds interesting.
Good book, hope you enjoy it when you read it, Brina.
Good review. I just downloaded the book on audio after hearing the author interview on the PBS News. Unfortunately, the same things described in the book can still be seen today just in a different context. No slave trackers but lots of profiling of individuals. Sad.
Good review. Was there any element of justice you found for the slaves mentioned?
Yes, clearly a tough read, as you say. I find it very difficult to read books about slavery because it was so shocking and so horrific, but I am tempted by the unusual nature of this novel. Have just been quickly reading this morning 'Letters from an American Farmer' by Crevecoeur, which you might have heard of, as you are American, but which I only came across recently. In it I suddenly read the heart-rending description of a slave left to die in a cage. Very disturbing even at this distance of two centuries as it goes to the heart of how human beings treat other human beings.
I'd say Cora was left not just to the mercy of other women in the quarter, but to the slaves male and female outside the Hob, and her masters.
The Diversity in All Forms book club is reading and discussing this book for our February book :) We would love to have your join our discussion! https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Just finished this, Diane, and I agree. It is very well written. As you point out, it's difficult to read about the cruelty, but Whitehead portrays Cora as a woman of great strength and determination. There are some very eloquent portions as well.
Have you read "White Rage" by Carol Anderson?
Thanks everyone.No I haven't Jessaka. Will see if my library has it.
Thank you, Carmen.
Thank you, Vera.
I am finally reading this. My ancestors included plantation owners who built their world on the bodies of enslaved people, and books like this one and “Caste” that don’t shy away from the sadism of that world are painful but essential reading.
