WASHINGTON BLACK
by Esi Edugyan
This completely original and unforgettable book will captivate you from beginning to end. Edugyan opens the book with young Washington Black (Wash) who is enduring life as a young slave on a sugar cane plantation on Barbados in 1830. Under the dominion of the ruthlessly cruel plantation owner, Erasmus Wilde, Wash struggles to understand how so little value can be placed on the slaves’ lives.
With the arrival of Erasmus’ brother, Christopher (Titch), Wash’s life forever changes. Titch enlists Wash as an apprentice in his quest to launch a hot-air balloon. Just when his life seems to have improved, however, an unfortunate event poses a deadly threat to Wash so he and Titch escape in the hot-air balloon. From that point on, their lives are a series of adventures, one more incredible than the last. From crewing on a ship, to trekking through the Arctic, Titch becomes the family Wash never had. Until he leaves. Abandoned and alone, Wash makes his way to Nova Scotia and eventually to London as an illustrator of marine life.
In addition to Edugyan’s beautifully elaborate story and her crisp writing style, Washington Black explores some powerful ideas. We can all agree that slavery is morally wrong. But when does “helping” someone become a manipulation of that person’s independence? How complicit are we in maintaining the status quo, when there is clearly a need for change? Washington Black will entertain and challenge you. Put it on your quarantine reading list – and enjoy! (Liz)
