From the Bookshelf of Nothing But Reading Challenges…

The Underground Railroad

Colson Whitehead

Start date: January 22, 2017

Finish date: January 31, 2017

Discussion: Books of the Month

Why we're reading this: January 2017 Anything Goes Book of the Month
[close] January 2017 Anything Goes Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

Aug 05, 2017 Andrea rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-historical, award-man-booker, abandoned, award-pulitzer

DNF @30%

I think this is just another case of emperor's new clothes. I see why the masses might love it and awards are being thrown at it, because it checks off all the necessary boxes that make books like these untouchable to criticism. Personally I found the characters unappealing and the story - uninspiring. But what about the atrocities, you might say. Yep, they are plentiful here, but presented as a laundry list of all possible horrors without emotional attachment to the story itself.

I need ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Mar 14, 2018 Shari Stauch rated it it was amazing

WOW. WOW. WOW. Powerful, extraordinary writing... compelling and riveting. I've recommended this to everyone I know and can't wait to meet this author in person when he comes to our city (Charleston, SC) soon. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 18, 2017 Amy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017

When I first finished this, I felt emotionally this was a 5. It's not really a 5-star book for me, though. The characters were a bit too undeveloped; I have too many questions remaining, and not in the "Man, I wish there was a sequel" way, but just in general.

It was a good read, though. I didn't know anything about it before I read it, so I was *really* confused when the railroad turned out to be a REAL subway-like railroad system. ...more

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Nov 01, 2017 Vicky marked it as did-not-finish · review of another edition

I am DNFing this book, mostly because I want it off my front page. I got this as an audiobook from the library early in September and I was around 70% when Overdrive forced me to "return" the book.

It's been almost a month since then and I really haven't thought about the book at all. To be honest, I forgot I had been reading it until I just logged in to update the books I'm currently reading. ...more

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