This book just wasn’t for me. I had a very hard time following & perpetually found myself losing interest after only a few pages. It moved very slowly & felt much longer than it actually was. Magical realism is a struggle for me since I’m an easily distracted reader. I often feel like I’ve missed something major every time my attention drifts. I admire that Coates tried to bring something new to a period of history that’s already been written about frequently, but in the end it fell way under my expectations.

This is a book on slavery, different than any I’ve ever read… and so beautiful! Hiram Walker is one of the tasked—son of a tasking woman and their enslaver. He is gifted with a perfect memory beginning after his mother is sold away—but those earlier memories are locked away from him. Because of his gifts (and parentage) he is elevated and educated so that he may be the right hand of his older half brother and heir to the plantation, but an accident disrupts everyone’s plans and Hi’s other gift emerges. This is a perceptive look at the lives of the enslaved and their owners in the late 1850s as the tobacco crops dried up in Virginia, as well as the ideals and methods of the Underground Railroad. But there are also moving characters and a touch of magic, all connected by beautiful writing. Everyone should read this!

Simply deep, thought provoking, beautiful writing. This book reads very slow, not because you are slugging through, but because it is character driven and full of symbolism and nuances. A different look at slavery, through the eyes of a biracial slave/family member. Simply stunning and should be put on your historical fiction read list.

The Water Dancer
Book Review | 📚📚📚📚 4/5
Ta-Nehisi Coates (writer) | Random House Publishing Group

A master author for our generation, Ta-Nehisi Coates, known for his non-fiction, essays and graphic novels, writes his first novel.

Why I was interested in this book:
I have read previous works of Coates and am a fan. The description for The Water Dancer reminded me of other historic fiction books I’ve read recently that intermix stories of slavery, what defines family, magical realism and heroism. From one of the authors of the Black Panther stories, it sounded like the potential for a powerful tale.

My assessment:
While reading The Water Dancer, my emotions were like a roller coaster on a rickety ole ride. I was excited about digging into the story. Half way through, my mind made comparisons to other similarly-themed books. Then the magic started and my interest really started to climb. The last quarter of the book moved quickly, but didn’t match my expectations for a powerful, grit ending. I’ve always been told that to hold expectations is to set oneself up for disappointment. When everything I’ve previously read by Coates is a solid 5 out of 5 stars, why shouldn’t I expect similar greatness? A solid 4 out of 5 stars is equally awesome. The story was powerful. And it was unique in how it was told. And it truly added new character dimensions. It just didn’t land with both feet squarely on the ground. And I’m not sure why I’m using a sports metaphor. Did it help articulate how I felt?

Stories of the human condition:
In terms of a story of the human condition, Coates’ The Water Dancer is a solid 5 out of 5. The people in the book were dynamic. And what you first saw is not what you always got. Personally, the middle section of the book really gave me a new understanding and empathy of a culture (slavery), I don’t know enough about, but feel it is extremely important to learn.

I do strongly recommend reading The Water Dancer, and I look forward to reading his next novel.

Full disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review. I definitely would have picked up this book once it was made available to the public, and am glad to have read it.

For more of my reviews, please visit Tuggle Grass Reviews (https://tugglegrassblues.wordpress.com).

TAGS:
#WaterDancer #review-book #book review #Novel #RandomHouse #TaNehisiCoates #TuggleGrassBlues #Tuggle Grass Reviews #TuggleGrassReviews #NetGalley

This beautifully written novel is a powerful account of slavery, the decline of the Virginia plantation economy prior to the Civil War, and the strength of the yearning for freedom. Hiram Walker is the young son of a plantation owner and a slave mother who was sold away from him when he was a child. Blessed with a strong memory and growing magical powers, nonetheless Hi cannot remember his mother, and will be unable to use his powers successfully until he does. Eventually he escapes and ends up in Philadelphia with folks who are instrumental in the Underground Railroad, including "Moses," or Harriet Tubman. The survival skills and heartbreaking decisions required for Hi to rescue the people he cares most about from their Virginia bondage make for a suspenseful and thought-provoking story. The slave's point of view is described with nuance and eye-opening clarity.

I enjoyed this book and thought it was a creative first novel. I loved the magic realism and the story. Great character development had me invested in the characters as well as the parallels with our own terrible history. I would recommend this book to everyone.

An extremely powerful story about slavery, freedom, memory, love, fear, respect. The words Coates chooses to define and describe are powerful and intriguing.

Young Hiram Walker was born into bondage. When his mother was sold away, Hiram was robbed of all memory of her—but was gifted with a mysterious power. Years later, when Hiram almost drowns in a river, that same power saves his life. This brush with death births an urgency in Hiram and a daring scheme: to escape from the only home he’s ever known.

So begins an unexpected journey that takes Hiram from the corrupt grandeur of Virginia’s proud plantations to desperate guerrilla cells in the wilderness, from the coffin of the deep South to dangerously utopic movements in the North. Even as he’s enlisted in the underground war between slavers and the enslaved, Hiram’s resolve to rescue the family he left behind endures.

If you have never read Ta-Nehisi Coates, get yourself one of his books right now! Coates has a powerful way with the English language. This is the first fiction book by Coates, and Coates released from the confines of describing real life is a wonder to behold. This is a beautiful book about the power of family and the bonds of family through the ages of time, told through the lens of slavery.

Virginia, 1800s.

Hiram Walker, or known just as 'Hi', was born into bondage. His mother was sold away when he was 9, and he had pushed his 'memory of her into the "down there" of his mind. His memories of her were mostly of her water-dancing, with an earthen jar on her head, patting juba on a bridge.

It was this very memory, so vivid, so clear and strong, that saved his life. It was later too that this memory saved his life again, and then he began to realize, he had, inside him, a power that could take him away, far away from the only home he had ever known, and way up to the North where freedom is real.

With power, comes responsibility. What will he do with such immense power? Escape? Save his loved ones? Do they want to be saved? Do they want to leave what had been so familiar to them?

Thus began a journey of discovery of one self, of fear and strength, of sadness and triumphs, of loss and love and of all, of the power of the mind.

This started a little slow for me and it didn't help the fact that many characters were introduced too. I got a little worried because I really wanted to like this book. But that didn't last long.

As I got invested in the characters which Coates developed so well, it was hard for me to extricate myself from their world. He made me part of their journey; part of Lockless and Underground.

As I got deeper into the story, the layers of each character slowly peeled away revealing their deepest thoughts and emotions, I felt closer to them.

I understood why for some, it was so hard to leave their only 'home' they'd known all their lives, and be freed from the invisible chain that had held them for years; and why for some others, were willing to risk it all in exchange for freedom and/or power, even if it meant betraying their own family and people.

I also loved reading Hiram's journey to self-discovery. How, with each step of the way, he learned that he had to conquer his fear and painful past, in order to release that power that he had in him. The Conduction.

I also want to mention the strength of the women in this novel. Wow. There were, of course, Harriet Tubman, whose influence and power and sacrifice need no mention, what she did was beyond words; Sophia, Thena and Corrine. I was in awe of their strength, wisdom, intelligence, and their determination to survive.

What I didn't get though, is why the magical powers for Harriet Tubman? It made all her effort sound so 'easy'. What she did was no magic trick. I'm still not sure if I liked that part. I'm sure Coates has the utmost respect for her. So there must be a reason why he did that. Probably to tie in with the magical element of this book? But can't it be left out?

Overall, still a great, absorbing, powerful read!

Thank you Netgalley and Random Publishing House for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I've read a lot of Coates' work, from "Between the World and Me" to his new series of the Black Panther comics. I had high hopes for his first novel, but unfortunately this fell short for me. Coates' writing is luscious, and he has a sublime ability to describe feelings and scenes. But I had some major problems with this story. First, it seemed to almost...romanticize slavery? Brutality was mentioned in passing, but the actual scenes with enslaved people were very much about home (the main character thinks longingly of his time as a slave). Not that I needed many scenes with intense violence, but I could see people reading this and thinking "see, slavery wasn't that bad."

I also didn't like that Harriet Tubman's abilities were explained with magic - that woman was incredible, and I think her amazing achievements are actually diminished when magic is added in - she did everything she did WITHOUT magic!

(Thanks to NetGalley, which kindly provided an ARC of The Water Dancer in exchange for an honest review. Coincidentally, as I finished this review, I discovered, to my happy surprise, that I am also the winner of a Goodreads giveaway for this book! Grateful appreciation to Goodreads.)

The Water Dancer, a moving and original historical fiction novel infused with elements of magical realism, is the debut novel of acclaimed essayist and author of Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates. The story, set in antebellum Virginia, chronicles the life of Hiram “Hi” Walker, son of Rose, a slave, and her white master, Howell Walker. Born one of the “Tasked,” the enslaved, and effectively orphaned at a young age when his mother is sold, young Hi is haunted by shadowy recollections of his mother, despite possessing an otherwise phenomenal memory. Hi’s alacritousness eventually catches the attention of Howell Walker, who elevates his son from fieldhand to a life in the big Lockless house. There, Hi receives an education and becomes manservant to his half-brother, the witless Maynard. Subsequently, a freak, near-death accident reveals a hidden power to Hi: when he touches water, he is able to “Conduct” or magically bridge “the land of the living and the land of the lost.” As the narrative unfolds, Hi’s life becomes intertwined with Underground Railroad activism, providing him with an opportunity to free both himself and others from the spectres of slavery and oppression. Coates, a gifted and imaginative writer, develops psychologically-complex characters and weaves a spellbinding, gripping story with literary merit. Highly recommended for teenage readers and up.

Beautiful, eloquent, moving. In an alternate universe where certain people can "conduct" or move themselves or others through space and time, the Underground seeks to assist enslaved people escape from plantations. This will get enormous press and well-deserved praise.

This is Ta-Nehisi's Coates' first novel, published after other important works that have explicated experiences that most desperately need to be brought to the public's eye. And kept there, until this troubled history actually informs the present and future. That is to say, this is all incredibly important, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to read anything he writes. The Water Dancer is a well-written novel, of perfect length to consume without tedium, and well worth the read. I'd have been surprised if it wasn't. Stuck between 4 and 5 stars for me.

This book fits wonderfully into the slave narrative genre. If felt like pieces of so many narratives I've read before mashed together; the WPA narratives, Frederick Douglass, Olaudah Equiano, and Harriet Jacobs. Where it differed, and really stood out for me, was in the writing and the elements of magical realism. I loved how memory, the process of forgetting and remembering and holding memories tight and letting them spur a person to action was such a central focus of importance in this story. It all feels incredibly relevant today and was exactly the type of element I hoped would come from a work of fiction by Ta-Nehisi Coates

I made myself read Between the World and Me before reading this book, since I had kept putting it off. The hype is real. The first novel by Ta-Nehisi Coates is not just a read, it's an experience. I really needed this sort of book to help me stay optimistic in these dark times, while reminding us that we still need to acknowledge memories (even if times are bad) because they drive us and make us stronger. Racism, slavery, low whites, separation of families (especially children) --- same issues, different century, all covered in this book. I can't pick a favorite character. Hiram, Thena, Sophia, and Corrine were so well-rounded, and the special cameo by Harriet Tubman was used well. I particularly appreciate how Harriet Tubman not abused as a plot device or excuse to skimp on fleshing out his own characters. I need to let this sink in before a re-read, and hopefully by then the inevitable film adaptation will do it justice.

I could not put this book down. An emotionally difficult book to read but an important one for those looking to get outside of their comfort zone. An intimate look at the brutality of slavery. The fear, pain and horror of families being separated and enslaved is palpable. Coates takes us on a journey with many twists and turns. A must read.

Beautifully written and told, the story is one that will live on forever. I had read this author's non-fiction but I believe he will forever be known for writing this book. And I predict MANY awards for this once released. My thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Who is The Water Dancer? Early on in this lyrical tale we see images of black women dancing with jugs of water perched upon their heads, moving to release the tensions of their lives and celebrate the sense of family and community they share with one another despite their circumstances. It isn’t until much later that we see another water dancer, a true historical figure, and then, finally, another. He is the book’s central character, Hiram Walker.

Hiram “Hi” Walker is a child when we first meet him, and all is revealed through his eyes, thoughts, and emotions. He shows us the unspeakable cruelties of slavery. He refers to as himself and his fellow slaves as “the Tasked.” The oppressors he calls “Quality.” Other whites who do not own slaves are the “Low.” As the illegitimate biracial son of the estate owner, he moves between the two worlds, yet he has no power, no freedom. I had never before read any work by Coates, and I was enthralled. He writes with so much care and attention. Intention. The plantation is called Lockless. The Deep South, where slavery rules, is “the Coffin.” The slave quarters are “the Street.” There is a key figure called “Moses.”

As Hiram’s life changes, so does he. The people he meets, the challenges he masters, and the relationships he forges morph him from a boy into a man. At one point, Hi states that to task is to wear a mask. Being with folks in the Underground helped him find his true self and made him feel like he was with family. The Water Dancer may be set in the 1800s with at least one real historical figure, but it is so much more than historical fiction. It is filled with allegory and symbolism. It is a tale of struggle to overcome cruelty and bondage. It is the saga of humanity’s thirst for freedom and equality. It is also about hope, because despite the harsh conditions and inhumane treatment, this book is filled with dreams for a better future. There is so much pain and suffering, but there is also love and joy. There are so many memorable characters, Task, Quality, and free. Some are good-hearted. Some are not. All are part of Hiram Walker’s story.

This book brought me to tears. Tears for what so many suffered. Tears for the injustices now in our country, at our border, and throughout the world.

When Hiram’s mother was sold, his memories of her were stolen along with her. In order to reach his full potential, Hiram must retrieve and face his deepest, most painful memories. This is where Ta-Nehisi Coates truly shines. He paints several amazing scenes to prepare us for that final moment. The imagery is simple, yet creative and tremendously powerful.

I wonder if Mr. Coates is challenging us all to face our deepest fears as individuals and as a nation so that we can shake off the chains that restrain us and become freer, more loving, and more generous. Hiram Walker is a very well spoken young man with beautiful heart and soul. We should listen to his story with our whole beings. It is not a swift, easy read, but it is a wondrous piece of literature.

My thanks to NetGalley, One World, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

5 stars

This is an absolutely beautiful book! The writing itself is stunning and a lot of work is put into absolutely every sentence. It deals with such heavy and heartbreaking topics and at times it is very hard to read, but also at times still feels optimistic that there are good things in this world worth fighting for such as love, family, connections, familiarity and home.

This book took me a while to read as it is very deep and character driven. This is a slow story that you are meant to take your time with and really absorb and understand. The story line is good and moves along at a good pace but the things that makes this book different from other books on this topic is first the focus on people's thoughts and inner workings. How they felt, how they thought, what made them make the choices that they did. The deep personal thoughts really make this book very powerful as you can relate to the characters on an intimate level, it goes deeper than just the everyday lives and experiences of a slave. Second, it goes deeper and more broad into the politics, the freeing of slaves and the north versus the south; how it all commingled. Previous books I have read usually just focus on one particular plantation or town and the atrocities that happened in everyday life.

There is a strong focus on the psychological effects of our experiences. Morality choices such as acting out of revenge and anger. Do they deserve it if they have seriously wronged you? Have you crossed a line? How every decision you make can snowball and unknowingly affect so many lives. Really separating what you think is best for somebody compared to what they want for themselves. How much your understanding of life, relationships and feelings change as you mature and experience more of life. It leaves you with a lot of things to think about and really ponder on.

Of all the horrible things that were done to slaves, I must say that the thought of taking a mother's children away from her, really hits me hard. I had a really hard time reading that. I cannot even imagine having my children taken from me. Even writing those words my eyes are tearing up.

Not sure about the magical realism parts of the book. I go back and forth on whether I liked that aspect or not. I feel like it is used as a portrayal of how our memories and experiences hold onto us and how important they are to help guide us in our future, but I personally felt like it took away from the story a bit. At times it confused me and I had to stop and get out of the story to think about it and I think it also slightly makes the true history of how hard people had to fight to get free seem a bit too easy.

It is very obvious that a lot of work and research has gone into this book. The level of detail and understanding in his writing is amazing. A book I will absolutely not soon forget and definitely recommend. This will be top seller, I am sure.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for my ARC.

A wonder. This novel follows the life of Hi, born into slavery and determined to find a way out on the Underground. Unlike other books that chronicle the lives of those in this situation, this one paints a rightfully bleak and horrifying view of that which was put upon many in the history of this country. I was riveted by the story and in love with the characters. Coates' descriptions put others to shame. I have read nothing like this before and am absolutely sure I will read nothing like this again because this is a complete masterpiece. I have books by this author on my to-read list but have read nothing by him so far, and his work has now immediately jumped to the top of the pile. I chose a very fitting time to read this as I finished it on Juneteenth and I think this should be required reading for anyone who believes that we have already righted the wrongs done to those who are descended from the enslaved peoples. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.
Read it now.