I was so excited when I learned that Ta-Nehisi Coates was writing a fiction book, and this did not disappoint. The writing and characters were so strong, and the world he built so fully described, that I didn’t even mind that the magical elements turned out to be more like metaphors than actual logical plot points.

Ta-Nehisi Coates writes beautifully — we know this much. Whether crafting a personal essay or a graphic novel adventure, Coates is a powerhouse.

The Water Dancer is an effective mingling of history, tragedy, reality, and mythic possibility. Coates crafts a character and universe that reflects concerns and questions about the planet we live on.

The best fiction causes us to respond to the painful truths that surround us. The Water Dancer is among the best of fiction.

I really wanted to like this, because I like Coates, but I found it too confusing. I didn't finish it.