Washington Black

by Esi Edugyan | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 9781846689604 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingmathgirl40wing of Waterloo, Ontario Canada on 12/20/2019
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This book is in the wild! This Book is Currently in the Wild!
12 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingmathgirl40wing from Waterloo, Ontario Canada on Friday, December 20, 2019
Welcome to BookCrossing! This is a site for catching and releasing books for those who want to share the joy of reading. If you find this book, please leave a journal entry to let previous readers know how and where you found the book. Feel free to do this anonymously if you wish. You are welcome to keep the book, but I encourage you to pass it on and let it continue its journey.

Journal Entry 2 by wingmathgirl40wing at Waterloo, Ontario Canada on Friday, December 20, 2019
I have chosen this book for the Favourite Book of 2019 Roundabout. I loved this historical novel about a slave on a Barbados plantation for its wonderfully complex and interesting characters, its page-turning plot and Edi Edugyan's beautiful writing. Though the author deals with serious themes such as slavery and racism, the novel has the feel of a steampunk adventure story. Many books set in this time period with similar themes are heart-wrenching and bleak. There are such moments in this novel, but for the most part, I found the story captivating and entertaining.

Here is the shipping order for the roundabout:
1. Mcsar Canada
2. Valpete USA
3. original-slicey USA
4. Dark-Draco UK
5. Earthcaroleanne UK
6. Cross-Patch UK
7. greenbadger UK
8. Estelle1806 Ireland
9. Fifna Netherlands
10. dutch-book Netherlands
11. Lamilla Belarus
12. Icila France
13. Billbooks Australia

Journal Entry 3 by wingmathgirl40wing at Waterloo, Ontario Canada on Friday, December 20, 2019

Released 4 yrs ago (12/20/2019 UTC) at Waterloo, Ontario Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to mcsar, the first reader in this roundabout.

Journal Entry 4 by wingmcsarwing at Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Thursday, January 2, 2020
The book arrived on the first day of year. This is my second year participating in the roundabout and I am glad to receive yet another book that I have not heard of before. The book looks promising and I will start reading soon.

PS. Thank you mathgirl40 for the Christmas card and BC stickers. Much appreciated.

Journal Entry 5 by wingmcsarwing at Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Tuesday, January 28, 2020
A splendid book. It is a captivating and spellbinding adventure that manages to address issues of slavery and racism. It was a wonderful reading experience and I look forward to reading more from the author.

Journal Entry 6 by wingmcsarwing at Favourite Roundabout, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, February 6, 2020

Released 4 yrs ago (2/6/2020 UTC) at Favourite Roundabout, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to the next reader.

Journal Entry 7 by originalslicey at on Thursday, February 13, 2020
Received via the Favourite Book of 2019 Roundabout. Adding to the top of my TBRs.

Journal Entry 8 by originalslicey at Kansas City, Missouri USA on Wednesday, March 11, 2020
I really enjoy this book and the writer, but it's a bit heavy, especially since I've been reading a lot of African-American Fiction for Black History Month, so I've read a lot about racism, slavery, and injustice the past two months. It's a lot!

I'm almost finished, but I am sending on to valpete today since I'm leaving town tomorrow. I've downloaded a copy from the library to read the end. Will update my journal entry when I've finished reading.

Journal Entry 9 by originalslicey at A Fellow BookCrosser, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Released 4 yrs ago (3/11/2020 UTC) at A Fellow BookCrosser, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to the next reader.

Journal Entry 10 by valpete at Walnut Creek, California USA on Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Received today! Will start reading it immediately!

Journal Entry 11 by valpete at Walnut Creek, California USA on Sunday, April 19, 2020

Released 3 yrs ago (4/19/2020 UTC) at Walnut Creek, California USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I agree with other reviewers who have said Part I of this book was brilliantly written. The author is unsparing in her portrayal of the physical and emotional brutality of slavery. The main protagonist, Washington Black (Wash) is a six-year old slave when we first meet him. He is rescued from his life of slavery by the younger brother of the plantation owner, when Wash falls under his protection to assist him in his scientific endeavors. While the remainder of the book keeps you on the edge of your seat, it seemed rather improbable. It was shortlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize.

Sending it of to the next reader.

Journal Entry 12 by wingdark-dracowing at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Friday, May 8, 2020
Received - thank you.

Journal Entry 13 by wingdark-dracowing at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Monday, June 1, 2020
Did I enjoy this book? Hmmm - I'm not actually that sure. I mean, I did read to the end so it had be entertaining enough as I'm more than happy to give up on a book that I don't like. But I can't say that I really connected or even liked any of the characters, and while I did feel for Wash and the hardships in his life, I found most of the events in the book just a bit too much on the random side to really buy into.

I did enjoy reading about the early Aquarium, and would have loved to find out how that all ended, but the author chose to abandon the story before then.

Overall, OK I guess, but not an author I'd rush out to read again.

Released 3 yrs ago (6/1/2020 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to the next reader in the Roundabout.

Journal Entry 15 by wingearthcaroleannewing at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, July 24, 2020
I'm sorry, I received this a while ago but lockdown brain made be forget to journal it.
Lockdown is also slowing my reading but I'll get to it as soon as I can.

Journal Entry 16 by wingearthcaroleannewing at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, October 5, 2020

The book is readable enough and not too pretentious in its writing style. My main problem with it is the lack of a strong plot. It feels directionless throughout. You don't really know where it is going or why. Wash wanders about without much of a plan but manages to travel the world with seeming ease. There's no true climax or big reveal to head towards, just a disappointing ending.

Journal Entry 17 by wingearthcaroleannewing at South Croxton, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, October 5, 2020

Released 3 yrs ago (10/5/2020 UTC) at South Croxton, Leicestershire United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending on in the roundabout.

Journal Entry 18 by wingCross-patchwing at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, October 11, 2020
Received; my next tbr! Very interesting. Thanks for the chance to read this Booker hopeful. It ticked the boxes for me. I agree the later plot line was a bit random, but that is never a problem to my mind.

Journal Entry 19 by wingCross-patchwing at Book Roundabout , -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Thursday, November 5, 2020

Released 3 yrs ago (11/3/2020 UTC) at Book Roundabout , -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Going to the next participant.

Journal Entry 20 by winggreenbadgerwing at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, November 8, 2020
It's arrived, thank you!

Journal Entry 21 by winggreenbadgerwing at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, November 15, 2020
George Washington Black, known as Wash, is a slave boy on a plantation in Barbados. Chosen by his cruel master's younger brother Titch to be his assistant, he learns to read and write and finds a talent for drawing. When Titch hears that his beloved father is dead and Wash finds himself in danger, the pair flee in Titch's flying machine and Wash goes on to have an amazing series of adventures. I don't quite know what to make of this - Wash's travels when he doesn't apparently have money all seem highly unrealistic and it's almost like the author is trying to write about as many things going on in that era as possible. I found the ending very unsatisfactory. But the descriptions of the brutality of the plantation, the exploration of the relationship of a freed slave with those who enslaved him, how someone can believe in abolition but still not treat a black man as an equal, and Wash's own view of himself, are all really interesting making this well worth reading.

Journal Entry 22 by winggreenbadgerwing at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, November 21, 2020

Released 3 yrs ago (11/21/2020 UTC) at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to estelle1806, next in the Roundabout.

Journal Entry 23 by wingestelle1806wing at Clonsilla, Co. Dublin Ireland on Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Just received and will start straightaway, thank you.

Journal Entry 24 by wingestelle1806wing at Clonsilla, Co. Dublin Ireland on Sunday, January 3, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, thought the writing style captivating and the atmosphere so melancholic... The two main characters were fascinating and still mysterious at the end of my read.
Thanks for sharing, mathgirl40!

Journal Entry 25 by wingestelle1806wing at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Monday, January 4, 2021

Released 3 yrs ago (1/4/2021 UTC) at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to Fifna, now.

Please let us know when you release it again...

Journal Entry 26 by wingFifnawing at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Wednesday, February 3, 2021
It's here! Thanks, estelle1806.

Journal Entry 27 by wingFifnawing at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Tuesday, February 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't mind the meandering plot at all, it just made me curious as to what on earth was going to happen next!
I think the book has some interesting things to say about perception. How what you think may be the right thing to do by somebody, or what your cause would have you do, doesn't always turn out to be the right thing. All too often people forget to ask the person they're helping whether what they are doing is actually helpful to them.
Oh, and I wanted to know what happened to the poor octopus in the end!
Thanks for sharing, an excellent choice for the roundabout.

Journal Entry 28 by wingFifnawing at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Monday, March 1, 2021

Released 3 yrs ago (3/1/2021 UTC) at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to dutch-book.

Journal Entry 29 by wingdutch-bookwing at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Tuesday, March 2, 2021
This arrived today.

Journal Entry 30 by wingdutch-bookwing at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Wednesday, March 24, 2021
This was a good book although the ending was abrupt and short and not really satisfying.

Journal Entry 31 by wingdutch-bookwing at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Released 2 yrs ago (3/24/2021 UTC) at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Travelling to France.

Journal Entry 32 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Tuesday, March 30, 2021
The book is now with me. If I'm not misunderstanding I'm the last. A good thing because the pages are falling apart.

Journal Entry 33 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Wednesday, August 18, 2021
I already had read a lot of books about slavery and racism. This one is more like an adventure by Jules Verne.

Journal Entry 34 by wingIcilawing at Cinéma le Gén'éric in Héric, Pays de la Loire France on Thursday, June 8, 2023

Released 9 mos ago (6/9/2023 UTC) at Cinéma le Gén'éric in Héric, Pays de la Loire France

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Ce livre a fait une étape chez moi. Je vous le confie pour qu’il continue sa route.
Bonne lecture et bienvenue dans le monde (gratuit) du bookcrossing.

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