Welcome to Litsy!

A dazzling, gripping historical narrative full of adventure, exploring both the bounds of slavery and what it means to be truly free.

#read #canada #fiction #fantasy

A brilliant book with a wonderful central character, Washington ‘Wash‘ Black. His emotional story is skilfully narrated throughout the novel and the character development from boy to man is superbly written. I defy anyone not to feel deeply for him. The ending seemed to bring him some peace and I was relieved that he was determined to be recognised for the brilliant mind he was in the end, rather than become a footnote to his own achievements.

Check out my book recommendation on Book Interrupted‘s Manuscript Monday. https://www.bookinterrupted.com/post/manuscript-monday-washington-black

I really enjoyed this book. It was so good I downloaded the audio so that I could listen to it while I cleaned my home. I didn‘t want to put it down.

So good! I loved this story of a young enslaved person who finds himself part of a scientific voyage that tests his limits and learn his strengths. Surrounded by some truly horrible people but also a few true friends, his life is interesting, uplifting, and one of a kind. The mixture of history, science, and gorgeous writing make for a special novel. Highly recommend and great on #audio #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I ran out the door without checking for the name of the person I need to thank for my package.🤦🏾‍♀️ I‘m in church right now so please charge it to my mind and not my heart.
I loved everything about my items. I can‘t wait to get home and put on the socks and curl ip with a good book. I was gifted 3 and will probably start Washington Black.
@Avanders @TheBookHippie
#Winterwonderlandswap

UPDATE: A special Thank You to @AmyG ‼️Thanks again ‼️

What do we think of the Booker Prize judging panel? I liked Washington Black, I have seen Anjoa Andoh act at the National and she was amazing but no idea what books she will like, and I'm a bit wary of Robert Webb... I've definitely heard of James Shapiro, I haven't heard of Mary Jean Chan. It begins! #bookerprize2023

Two more stories down in the "A Point In Time" collection ??

"We Are Bone and Earth" is about an enslaved girl.

"Alison's Conviction" is about a young woman with Tourette Syndrome fighting debt collectors.

This was a fantastic book, definitely will be a favourite of this year. It's also a dark, brutal, but brilliant story. I absolutely adored the character Washington Black.

🌟🌟🌟the only reason for the 3 stars instead of less, is the incredible writing. Her writing is like music and I found it beautiful. However this book was a huge, boring slog as far as plotless and stories go. But if you love wonderful prose to savor, you may like it.

Trying to squeeze the last 2 books in before the end of the month. This will give me 2 completed lines, #bookspin and #doublespin for April. Not too bad to say it's been a busy month.
@TheAromaofBooks

Excellent. Beautiful prose and a compelling and heart-wrenching story of loss, inequality and adventure. Ending was a bit lacklustre

Finished this one yesterday, just in time for Day One of the #CanadaReads debates!

A compulsively readable page turner following the life of George Washington Black, born a Slave, through his escape and his near-fantastical journeys propelled by science and a search for meaning. How does one define their life and their sense of self without knowledge of their roots?

A great book, and certainly a worthy read, but not the one to win CR, IMO.

"One felt great age, and a silence like a held pause; it was as though everything that could happen here had already occurred, as though you were wading into an aftermath."

Edugyan places the reader in full view of the brutality of a Caribbean plantation, Arctic village, and English hanging. There is no escaping. It is the slow wait of waiting and hopeless seeking as the claustrophobia slowly steals your breath. The characters are complex and the writing exquisite. This is a Canada Reads contender.

This is an excellent book. I think it‘s my choice for Canada Reads 2022. It was interesting in multilayered ways. It was heartbreaking, mysterious, informative, heartfelt and touching. It kept me engaged and the author brings you into Washington‘s world and experiences in a vivid way. You can hear, see, feel and smell each moment. She leaves you wanting more of Washington Black, but also satisfied in the ending. This book will stay with me.

"The impossible occurs so infrequently in this world, even to those who would devote their lives to studying it."

The story of a young, black, boy slave -Washington Black (Wash), who escaped from Barbados with the white, English, younger brother of the plantation owner- Christopher Wilde. They leave in a fantastical flying machine, and their adventure begins. There is a cinematic feel to the book, and Hulu has picked it up for a 9 part series. Thrilling,passionate, well written. Yet, I felt somewhat unsettled by the ending.
#booked2022 #involvesanexploration

My other IRL BookClub book for the month.

I‘m almost 100 pages in and I‘m so bored. I find myself wondering if it‘s worth it. It sounds like the kind of book I would love. I want to like it. But I just can‘t get into it. Maybe I‘ll take a break and come back to it later.

Very well written but some unanswered questions and I didn't quite get the ending.

#CanadaReads2022

1. Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
2. The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom
3. The Willows by Algernon Blackwood

@rachelsbrittain #WeekendReads
@NataliePatalie

"I might have been ten, eleven years old - I cannot say for certain - when my first master died."

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
#CanadaReads2022

Just added to my tbr list today. It is on the shortlist for #CanadaReads2022.

#Black #BeginsWith
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

The Canada Reads Longlist is out! WASHINGTON BLACK is the only one I‘ve read, but I now have all the others on hold. Here‘s hoping none of the ones with 100+ people ahead of me make the final cut.

I have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, Wash had some real adventures, traveling from Barbados to the New World to the Arctic Circle and more. On the other, he was in hiding from slave hunters, wanted with a bounty on him.

I found the ending ambiguous and ultimately unsatisfying, even though it was fitting and felt true.

See above my cards from #LitsyLove, friends, family, and clients. Thank you to everyone who has sent one 😊❤️🎄.

A qualified pick. Beautiful writing and I loved the main character. Having reread Austen's novels and delving into other classics, I liked how the novel explored how the genteel manor life of England and the pursuits of “gentlemen scientists“ were often financially supported by riches made from horrific plantations and slavery. I liked how it explored the complexities of racism, among the abolitionists and in the close relationships.👇

Halfway through and enjoying this read. Spent the weekend camping and fishing on the St. Joe river in north Idaho and stopped in a tiny “town” called Avery, which for the past few months has been dwarfed by a large firefighter camp battling a big blaze. Heavy rains came Friday thankfully. I stopped in at a new wood fired pizza place that was delicious. It is interesting to read this boom after being immersed in rereading Austen‘s novels. 👇

We‘re nearing the end of #JulyJourneys already! Time flies!

I found this to be an odd book but interesting. Part of the story takes place in the #PolarRegion of North America, but to say more would be a spoiler. 😎

George Washington Black grows up in slavery on Barbados, but his life takes a turn when his master's brother Christopher "Titch" Wilde has Wash assist his scientific endeavors. Covering multiple years and continents, this coming-of-age tale explores the nature of relationships and how theirs could never be a true, equal friendship. Wash's adventures in the world fascinated me from beginning to end.

#CuriousCovers Day 20: #Trees on this cover. :)

Now, this was what I thought I was getting when I started Vassar‘s “Black”.

And this was simply perfect.

#TBRPile 📚 Washington Black, an 11-year-old slave, becomes the personal servant to the eccentric ‘Titch‘ Wilde whose single-minded pursuit of the perfect aerial machine puts both of them in mortal danger. When Titch disappears, Washington must make his way alone, following the promise of freedom further than he ever dreamed possible...

This was a good book, although the ending was a bit abrupt, short and unsatistisfying. Nevertheless I enjoyed the story.
TBR since March 2nd 2021; 417 pages.

A really good work of historical fiction - quite fast paced for this genre with lots of events. It packs a lot in! I think for my tastes, it could have been longer. Some of Edugyan‘s quieter scenes were so thoughtful. Fascinating characters and a brutal life - although I‘ve read a lot of books set within slavery, this is one of the stand outs for depicting brutality and the impact on the human spirit. I‘ll be interested to see what she does next.

I really enjoyed this book! It had some very interesting plot twists that kept me wondering but the ending...I‘m not entirely sure about. There‘s multiple ways of looking at it and to be honest; I was left a little bit confused.

Just finished this for my IRL book club which has been postponed because every member just felt this week was too much! We have all enjoyed the book though! Some awful plantation scenes which were hard to read. Still can‘t decide if I‘m left feeling vaguely hopeful or desperately sad for the main character.

I really enjoyed this book. I read “Half Blood Blues“ a few years ago. I liked it a lot as well, and I hope to read more from Esi Edugyan.

Washington Black is a solid piece of historical fiction. Edugyan is as interested in early marine biology and hot air balloon mechanics as she is in plantation slavery.

I‘m so glad George Washington Black took a cloud-cutter out of Barbados and I loved being a fly on the wall for his next 17 years of travel.

#3books #IReadBasedSolelyOnTheirCovers

Loved Washington Black
Liked 100 Foot Journey
Didn't care for Essex Serpent

These are all books I read without even looking at the blurb. I actually do that more often than not. I'm totally at the mercy of a pretty cover.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

No better time to start a new book than when you‘re getting a flat tire fixed. They said it could be 2-2 1/2 hours. Hope this is as good as everyone says it is!

This is a story about George Washington Black, a young slave boy whose luck changed when he was chosen to be the manservant to his owner's brother, Titch. This covers about 6 years of his life, from a sugar plantation in Barbados, to the Arctic, London, & Morocco. The first half was better than the second half, as the characters we meet early on seem larger than life and those later introduced are rather boring. A story of hope & found family.

This book is surprisingly good!!

Reading & puppy cuddles to start my Sunday. 💛💚

I‘ve seen a lot of reviews for this and it‘s been on and off my tbr. On sale today so why not?

Wash's life changes forever when he becomes the manservant to Titch. He moves from harsh work of the fields of a Barbados sugar plantation to assisting Titch, scientist/explorer/inventor/abolitionist with his flying machine research.
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Spanning years, Wash's journey takes him from Barbados to an Arctic outpost to London and finally Morocco as he tries to both outrun his past and discover who he is along the way. Incredible incredible read!

I‘m still not sure where this is going but the writing is great.