Matthew McElroy ’s Reviews > Song Yet Sung > Status Update
Matthew McElroy
is on page 152 of 363
The parallels to Whitehead's Underground Railroad are strong, but I'll try not to be labor that point. Liz Spocott is very different from Cora. Liz is an active participant in her escape and pursuit of freedom, even if she is more hesitant about it all. While Cora felt like a stand-in for being Black History in America, Liz feels like a more complete character. And the characters around her are more complete as well.
— Jun 24, 2024 02:46PM
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Matthew’s Previous Updates
Matthew McElroy
is on page 242 of 363
The chapter titled "Spreading the Word" is 20 pages of the most tense, humanizing writing I've ever experienced. Liz is being incredibly stubborn, but you realize that she is declaring her equality. The Gimp is being tolerant and understanding, but you realize he's still a slave catcher. There are watermen who are willing to give the slaves a fair shake, but they are still part of a brutal system. Incredible.
— Jun 29, 2024 12:49PM
Matthew McElroy
is on page 64 of 363
It's impossible to read this and not think of Colson Whitehead's Underground Railroad, which was excellent. Both books feature an enslaved woman running for freedom. A spectacular act of violence is the catalyst for each. They feature a slavecatcher who is... not 'hateful' but sees Black people as a simple source of revenue. The slavecatchers have Black assistants they seem to 'appreciate'.
— Jun 22, 2024 07:36AM
