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The Underground Railroad

Colson Whitehead

Start date: February 1, 2017

Finish date: February 28, 2017

Discussion: Monthly Bonus Reads

Why we're reading this: February Bonus Read- Black History Month
[close] February Bonus Read- Black History Month

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What Members Thought

Jun 10, 2017 Cathie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-reads, 2016-releases, nbr-botm, favorites, historical-fiction, usa, you-ll-love-this-challenges, slavery, choiceawards2016, 2017-favourites

Wow! That very well sums up my whole review. Wow ~ in a very good way.

Gritty, raw and an uncomfortable read about slavery in the U.S. and the Underground Railroad that many slaves came to use to escape the hatred and bigotry, cruelty and racism of Southern white men and women.

This is not a light read. A classic never is.

“All men are created equal, unless we decide you are not a man.”

5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2020 Jaclyn~she lives! catching up on reviews~ rated it really liked it

Cora’s entire journey was tragic and the ending gutted me.

To be updated

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 13, 2017 Sakshi Kathuria rated it really liked it

This has left me a little broken and embarassed to know that humans are capable of insane cruelty upon another human and how injustice in the world spreads a little more with each act of human barbarism and savagery.

If you look up and hear about Whitehead's interviews, you shall know that his spoken word has truly reflected in his writing. I am glad that I read this book at ease and took my time to finish. The book narrates the story of the slave catcher, masters and slaves in the land of Uncle ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 22, 2018 Jehona rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: america-north, speculative-fiction-scifi-fantasy

It looks so historical in the beginning that t is hard to accept it when it abruptly turns into SF. It's a good book, but if you cannot handle even the mildest of SF elements in a book, this is probably not a book for you.
...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 20, 2019 Kathy Miller rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: literary-books, historical-fiction

Colson Whitehead's novel is raw and compelling. The novel revolves around a young slave girl, Cora. Through her bid for freedom we meet other runaway slaves and those, black and white who were part of the Underground Rail Road. Absolute power over slaves, corrupts, absolutely. The savagery of many plantation owners is gut wrenching. With so many slaves out numbering the plantation whites, it was evident they turned to cruel punishments to keep order. With the horrific Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 21, 2018 Frank García rated it it was amazing

Definitely worth the hype. Never really could get into Colson Whitehead much, but this text blew me away. One of the best neo-slave narratives I’ve read.

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