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Roxane's Reviews > The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad
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Excellent writing, strong concept. I am personally burnt out on slavery narratives so I cannot say this was a pleasure to read. So much unrelenting horror. Whitehead does an excellent job of portraying slavery and America as a slave nation. The idea of the underground railroad, as an actual railroad, is so smart and interesting. I wish he had actually done more with the railroad itself. There were some sentences where I thought, "Now you are just showing off." The amount of research the author did is clear, throughout. There is some really interesting structural work at play. I wanted some of the secondary characters to be more fully developed. This book is going to do very well, and rightly so.
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Finished Reading
August 15, 2016
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Jason
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rated it 4 stars
Aug 15, 2016 03:18PM
Roxane, I agree with pretty much every word of your review. I really enjoyed this, but felt that, yes, there could have been more about that Railroad. I also wanted to know more about these characters, too. John Henry Days is still my favorite Whitehead.
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Agreed. I thought there would be more railroad, that it might actually twist, turn, change course and take Cora to strange places.
Roxanne, YOU are so brilliant and beautiful! I wish I had a profile pic of myself up currently. I would love to read this. I was frightened of it giving me nightmares if I over-relate to the young woman; but it is of great importance to understand the atrocities of American history. Myself as a white girl that is of half Greek ancestry and the other half of a Germanic blend coming from the Northeast I hold the traditional "white-guilt" of many embarrassed idiot white liberals. None of us look better for it. We just trip over ourselves . I appreciate your thoughtful words and your wonderful reviews! Most Sincerely, ~Chrissy Golamis
I'm voting for it then. :-) Having read lots about slavery especially in the 19th century when Africans were shipped to the B. And A. Caribbean Islands. Thanks for all the reviews. Much obliged.
I agree with you on this one - I, too, am a little crispy around the edges on slavery narrative and would have been interested in hearing more about the experiences Underground Railroad, the actual trail, not the fictional choo-choo.
Totally agree with this review!
Agreed! Good reviews led me to it. Unrelenting horrible description of slavery wore me out.
On 103 he writes of conveyor Belts.They were not invented intolerant 1892 for carrying coal.Ford introduced them in the car Industry in 1913- anachronism
Well-written, well-imagined, this was a difficult book to read for the exposed horrors exacted on the early 19th century slaves. At times I, too, wanted the author to do a bit more with the secondary characters.
Wish you would have said WHY the underground railroad as an actual railroad was a good and smart idea.
so burnt out iam but will give this one a go....
Excellent writing?!!? UGH.
I agree. What pulls me back to these stories? Something in my bones? A need to fill a hole?
The fictional underground railroad confused me. I had known about this as an escape route but simply as an organisation. When I started reading the novel I didn't know Whitehead decided to make it real. This distracted me throughout the book because I kept trying to imagine how it was possible. I wish I had known! Apart from that this story portrays true evil and amazing courage. It was gripping but I don't think I will read any more of this author's novels.
Is this the book that has the story of the Indigo production?
I don’t think so. It is about the escape routes runaway slaves took.
I found this book compelling and horrific. Yes, it's written in a strange, detached style at times, but for me this highlighted how slaves were dehumanised and the violence is stark and terrible. I was also shocked at the 'mob' rule and violence towards any one found trying to help runaway slaves. The dream like quality and mystery of the underground railroad was a little confusing at first but I then found it powerful.
An important reminder of an unbelievably appalling period of history.
Thanks for this review. I'm on Part 2 and not sure how much more I can take. Whitehead is a competent but not always my cup of tea. This might be another onw of his that I can't make it through
I totally agree on the burnout factor from reading about slavery... this book was very well written, told a riveting story, but to be honest, I need something less triggering, less relentlessly sad, something soothing for my soul. That said, historically this book spins a believable and captivating historical narrative.
I’m curious how some of you have become burnt out in the slave narrative—what have you been reading? I’d like some suggestions. Thanks!
I wholeheartedly agree. I felt the most interesting idea of the actual underground railroad was not used in ways I hoped it would be. I also agree with the "showing off" it is damn good writing in many places and I always felt the presence of a writer/ storyteller at work. When Cora retreats underground just clawing, hitting. ripping. at the earth it permanently broke my heart.
I felt the same. I've read many books about slavery, slave uprisings, etc. It would not be my choice, BUT this being my first book by Colson Whitehead, I am so glad I read it. He is a wonder and I loved his fantastic reimagining of the Underground Railroad. Yes, he did borrow from the future but I liked that creativity. It brought a freshness to the story. It could have been a tired reworking of history, but it isn't. I want to read more. He took me someplace I never knew and I want more of that.
Can’t wait to read. Next few days.
Hey guys. I'm looking for 2 similar novels about slavery/racism. It's very urgent. Can anybody help me ?
Ms.GayI never get tired of slavery. I will never forget
The beginnings of human kind. I wish we keep talking and talking about it. We will never forget
Viva la revolucion
Viva Haiti
I am struggling to get through this book, primarily because of the horrific descriptions of torture and death.
I thought this was an excellent telling of what the slaves had to live through. A very good book...
Those who are burnt out about slavery might ask themselves how that can be? Possibly their ancestors weren’t slaves.
Are you planning on watching the series? If you are, I’d be interested to know what you think.
Is the new series at all related to this book ?
