Oprah's Book Club (Official) discussion
The Underground Railroad
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There was never a real railroad
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Stephanie
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Aug 08, 2016 05:44AM
The book makes it would like there was an actual train station, platform and train, which regular stops. This is too far from the truth. Making a journey that seldom had positive results appear easily accomplished. Disappointed in this part. Although the story itself is interesting
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If you read the full blurb about the book on Amazon. com it says.."In Whitehead’s ingenious conception , the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor —engineers and conductors operate a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil."It is historical fiction after all, so the author in that case will take some license with the material.
I realize it is a historical fiction however, this type reinforces myths that many are working to eliminate.
I would love to know what myths you think this book is reinforcing?
Knowing about the underground railroad is very important. See one can mistake the meaning to be train station, but you should not be slammed for it. However, once you find the answer then you will be on track.
I've been to the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati. They have done a great job of making that part of American history accessible with movies and interactive exhibits. Anyone who has the chance to visit should definitely go.
Shaheer wrote: "Knowing about the underground railroad is very important. See one can mistake the meaning to be train station, but you should not be slammed for it. However, once you find the answer then you will ..."The Province of Ontario Canada also has a great deal of history regarding the Underground Railroad. As a 5th generation Canadian, whose black lineage comes from those who escaped to Canada by the Underground Railroad I am very much aware of its place and relevance in history.
https://www.thestar.com/entertainment...
Rainey thanks for the article. It's more information and information is important.
I considered the literal railroad imagining as magical realism more than anything else. Those stops and railroad trips I felt mirrored what was going on in Cora's life at those times. The physical railroad of the 1800's meant freedom to people in a lot of ways. The ability to go wherever they want, to start a new life, to have an adventure, to explore a new part of the world. Giving that ability to Cora, who was not free, symbolized her struggle to find her freedom from her past and her dehumanized life. She was now a passenger to a better tomorrow.
I can't comment on the book yet because I'm still waiting to get it. The Underground Railroad is generally referring to the network of free houses that slaves went to as they made their way north of the Mason-Dixon line. The reason the Underground Railroad Museum is in Cincinnati is because it was the first place they got to after crossing the river from Kentucky. Is the Underground Railroad used as a metaphor in the book or are they talking about the actual Underground Railroad?
Lisa, I am only a quarter of the way through the book but in the book the author portrays the "Underground Railroad" as an actual underground train with tunnels and a train and all. I think this was the original concern of this post in that the OP is concerned that the portrayal of a real train makes escape to appear much easier than it was in actuality.
Its Fiction. And the real railroad is a metaphor.
That's a shame. If that's the case, a lot of people will take the book literally because so many people are deficient in American history and don't know what the Underground Railroad actually was. I suggest reading the autobiography of Harriet Tubman to get some idea of the reality before reading a book that's all metaphor.
It is a work of historical fiction. Colton Whitehead researched the book by reading many slave narratives. In an interview, he talks about that when he was a kid he literally thought the Underground Railroad was a real railroad. He is being metaphorical with its use and this book is not being billed in any way as nonfiction. It is meant to help us all reach an understanding of the struggle slaves went thru to find freedom by any means possible.
I will comment further after I've read the book. I'm assuming that he's made it clear that the book is fiction.
I'm still reading the book and am about half way through it. I just want to add that my interest in history started with historical fiction. Once I started reading the fiction, I then did my own research on the subject with nonfiction books. Books like The Underground Railroad, besides being a good read, can be another persons starting point to learn more about the subject. What I'm really enjoying is that it gives a realistic look at what it was like to live as a slave and to experience freedom for the first time. This topic has been glossed over so much that we don't usually get a look into the soul crushing reality of slavery in this country. Whatever you feel about the railroad portrait here, my opinion is that the takeaway is the insight into a slave/former slave's thoughts and feelings.
Rebecca, thanks so much for your perspective. I have been following this discussion with interest even though I haven't started to read the book yet . I hope to do that in a day or so and your thoughts have provided a good way I think to go into the story.
I haven't read the book yet, but it is written for adults, and I started learning about the Underground Railroad in elementary school. It was always clear in class that there was no physical railroad. I think most people will already know that by the time they read this. And I agree that historical fiction is a good way to spark interest in historical events. That's happened for me many times.
Hannah wrote: "I haven't read the book yet, but it is written for adults, and I started learning about the Underground Railroad in elementary school. It was always clear in class that there was no physical railro..."I haven't read the book yet, but when I read the premise I thought it was alternate history. This would mean that it takes place in an alternate universe where there was a physical railroad.
I agree! I will comment after i have read the bk!
I agree with Rebecca. However, I was convinced for a bit there that I completely misunderstood the underground railroad all this time once I got to the point where there was an actual train within the tunnels. I think this book will be used as an instructive tool in years to come. I'm sure this point will be much discussed.
Im very interested in this!! Slavery was a very sad thing!!
I agree with Rebecca. As a former fifth grade teacher and elementary school librarian, reading historical fiction is a good way to learn more about history while reading a great story. I hope that all my former students remember that the Underground Railroad was not an actual train. Many people risked their lives to help runaway slaves escape to freedom. This book outlines the dangers and experiences of those involved that I have not read in any other book. The characters in this book are well developed and very believable, and as readers we are drawn into their lives and experiences. The author did his research which makes the story so compelling and realistic. I highly recommend this book!
I love reading historical fiction. But the history does need to be accurate. I will order this book on Stephanie's recommendations.
Here in Maryland, you can see signs stating "Underground Railroad Route" next time I see one, I'm going to snap a photo.
Marie, I'm thinking that during this time period the only form of transportation those involved could compare the Underground Railroad to was a train. After all it had a conductor and it transported its passengers. Yes, Sylvia, I totally agree that the history does need to be accurate. At the end of most historical fiction novels there is a list of all the author's references. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Lorrea, I would love to see a photo of the "Underground Railroad Route" sign!
I grew up in a town in Illinois just east of where there was an Underground Railroad station. In grade school, we always went to the local museum and have been there a few times as an adult. I'm sure in the next year or 2, I will be going again as my son (who is African American) will be going into 1st grade next week.
I realize that this is a work of fiction and it is an important book . I just finished it and I gave it 4 stars because it is a book that should be read . However, I would have given it 3.5 stars if allowed because I felt that creating a railroad where one did not exist, diminished in some way the network of people and routes moving people to freedom without a train . I am very anxious to hear further thoughts on it . This is my opinion only .
I think you have made an important point. This is a work of fiction. Hopefully, most people reading this book already know that the underground railroad was not an actual railroad. For me the comparison didn't take away from the importance of this story or its message. He talks about it in one of the video clips from his interview with Oprah. That may help you understand why he chose to do this.
Stephanie, I saw the clip and also read several interviews after I read the book hoping I would understand better what he was attempting to do here . I still feel the same way . Just my personal reaction while reading the book . I know others may feel differently but that's one of the things I love about Goodreads is seeing different responses to the same book .
I agree, the comparison was a little odd. Yes, I love the different responses here on Goodreads!
Stephanie wrote: "I think you have made an important point. This is a work of fiction. Hopefully, most people reading this book already know that the underground railroad was not an actual railroad. For me the compa..."Unfortunately, I am so distressed by how little young Americans know about American history and I'm afraid that a lot of people reading won't know that the Underground Railroad wasn't an actual railroad.
I know when I was teaching fifth grade (many years ago) it was covered in our American History curriculum. As a school librarian some teachers read the biography of Harriet Tubman during Black History Month to their students. I pray that it is being taught in middle and/or high school history class. Yes I agree. If you don't know anything about the Underground Railroad it could be very confusing!
Unfortunately, a lot of the young don't know the history. I feel it's up to the parents to educate their kids where the schools fail and themselves if they don't know. As far as the book goes, I went into it knowing there would be some kind of fiction added. The literally railroad didn't bother me. I love reading everyones opinions though.
Just discovered that where I live in Niagara Falls- is very close to the underground railway- infact there is some type of tunnel in St. Catharines the museum told me about you can go see -where they hid the slaves. Harriet Tubman has a church where she used to go round here. All this time and I had no idea it was around here.
How exciting!!! Now you can go exploring !!
I live near the house of Harriet Tubman. In the house there's a plague which explains it was never a physical Railroad, but a system or network of safe houses operated by the Abolitionists. Some places did have tunnels and some used abandoned mines. But I don't see why anyone thought there was actual railroad with a locomotion on it considering who was escaping from what. A train station would have been the first place a slave catcher would have looked and beside African Americans were not allowed on a train until after it passed the Mason-Dixon line.
I am still waiting for this book to come from the library,and I can hardly wait:)
Creating an actual railroad with train was a very effective plot device that enhanced rather than detracted from historical reality. Having Cora move to different destinations by train literally propels the story forward; it lets her and her story develop in different parts of the nation rather than dwelling on the journey itself.This is not to downplay the trials and struggles of the real pathways slaves made to freedom (and if interested in this, I agree Harriet Tubman by Ann Petry is the book to read), but it lets the reader focus and compare/contrast the black experience in different regions of the nation.
Marian wrote: "I am still waiting for this book to come from the library,and I can hardly wait:)" You can always request your library to order a book. In most cases they don't mind. Sometime another library may have it and they borrow it from them for you.
If you haven't read it, invest some time this summer! My Review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Clever twist on the historic Underground Railroad. Mr. Whitehead clearly did his research. The vocabulary and references in the story are fantastic. Thanks to OBC for putting me on to the book.(If teachers are interested, a short, middle years novel called Underground To Canada is quite good.)
