The essayist, cultural critic, and poet Ta-Nahesi Coates has had a profound influence on the national conversation about race in this country. Between the World and Me was written as a letter to his teenage son about being Black in America, and won the National Book Award for Nonfiction. We Were Eight Years in Power focused on the Obama presidency, its triumphs and its failures to do more to lift up the African American community. He is frequently sought out for his views on culture and politics.
He had not previously written a novel, so it was with some skepticism that I began The Water Dancer, his story about Hiram Walker, the son of a Virginia plantation owner and a slave woman, who grew up in bondage and goes on to join the Underground Railroad. Within a couple of pages, that skepticism was gone. Coates, it turns out, is a storyteller of great skill and imagination, and he interweaves his insights about American culture and race into the story seamlessly, offering a fresh perspective on the old slave/master dichotomy that is thought-provoking and, in my experience, true.
In The Water Dancer, Coates calls the slave owners the Quality, and the slaves, the Tasked. While there is certainly reference to the degradations suffered by the Tasked, there are few descriptive scenes of beatings, whippings, or the auction block. Instead, Coates gives us whole human beings, with relationships, dreams, grit, and cunning. There is a rich life in the Warrens, the underground tunnels where the Tasked are housed, and in the Street where they congregate. It is the Quality who suffer from a lack of purpose and a life demeaned by subjugating their fellow human beings to a life of bondage.
Here, the young Hiram reflects on the Quality class:
“The Quality, for instance, did not inquire on the inner workings of their “people.” They knew our names and they knew our parents. But they did not know us. They had no notion of our ultimate aims and desires. They were entranced by our songs, but they could never know the deeper meaning, because not knowing was essential to their power. …You cannot understand him as human. You cannot see yourself in him, lest your hand be stayed, and your hand must never be stayed, because the moment it is, the Tasked will see that you see them, and thus see yourself. In that moment of profound understanding, you are all done because you cannot rule as is needed.”
There are implications like that for our modern world throughout this masterful work, but at its core it is a fascinating, page-turner of a story, beautifully written, with heart and heat and hope. Ta-Nahesi Coates proves he is a literary lion.
Thank you One World and NetGalley for the DARC .

Thanks to #netgalley for this arc.

Hiram "Hi" Walker is one of the Tasked living in Virginia in the waning years of slavery in Virginia. After his mother is sold by his father--the plantation owner--he moves in with Thena, a lonely woman whose sorrows surpass his own. When Hi survives an accident that kills his biological white brother, he realizes he possesses some strange magic he does not understand. Soon he finds himself involved in the Underground, eventually meeting up with the legendary Moses herself.

This is a brilliant but uneven novel that grapples with the toughest of moral, emotional, and intellectual issues, none of which can ever really be separated from one another. I enjoyed the magical realism element of the book, and loved the emphasis on the importance of storytelling and memory. However, even though we saw so much of characters' inner lives, I was still not sold on the character development in the book. I think it may be that characters' thoughts and feelings often read like well-thought-out essays (which might be explained by Coates' career as an essayist). Yet, the language was beautiful, and the story was moving and also, of course, horrifying. With less violence in his book than one might expect given the subject matter, Coates cut open and exposed multiple layers of the grievous harm white slaveowners effected, even by those who considered themselves kind and generous. Well worth reading.

A powerful story of a terrible time in U.S. history. The historical aspect to this story was fabulous, the magical realism aspect just isn't for me.

The Water Dancer is part slavery history and part magical realism. This is the second book I’ve read from this author and both were only so-so to me. It’s not the stories themselves. The stories have been fascinating and very informative. But, I have difficulty with his writing style - at times it’s very hard for me to follow the narrative. Others may not find that so. If you like his writing style you will love the content of his books.

4.5 Stars

A beautifully shared story of the history of slavery, a world built by those purchased or born of those referred to as the Tasked under the watchful eyes of their owners, those of the Quality. While this time and place are difficult to read about, there’s a magical element to this that manages to create an atmosphere both hopeful and lovely, and helps to balance out the overall atmosphere.

”I am here, telling this story, and not from the grave, not yet, but from the here and now, peering back into another time, when we were slaves, and close to the earth, and close to a power that baffled the scholars and flummoxed the Quality, a power, like our music, like our dance, that they cannot grasp, because they cannot remember.”
(To hear Ta-Nehisi Coates read this quote: https://video.vanityfair.com/watch/ta... )

There is something about the writing that feels as though every word is so deliberately chosen to perfectly convey the emotions, actions and environments throughout this story, while creating this occasionally magical aura at the same time.

There are multiple topics woven inside this novel about slavery, the breaking up of families as family members were sold off, the effect on those taken, and those left behind. The trauma of these losses affecting memories, affecting lives. Painful memories that Ta-Nehisi Coates shares with a tender compassion over time, while not sugar-coating any of the evilness of the actions, and allowing these characters, particularly Hiram, Hi, to not only remember but move beyond the pain associated with those memories. Love is another topic, both familial and romantic, and the precariousness of love for the Tasked.

This has been compared to Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad, since both have an “experimental” touch to them, but this was a much smoother read, for me. While Coates has written other non-fiction books, this is his debut novel, and I was impressed with how beautifully his passion shined through.


Pub Date: 24 Sep 2019


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Random House – One World

Ta-Nehisi Coates has outdone himself in this work. Unlike his essays, this book grabs the reader in a way where what he writes comes alive in my mind. I was so drawn into this book that it was hard to put it down. What I think I appreciate most about this book and why I think it is good for students to read is the account that he paints of this part of history has a humanity and depth of human spirit that we often don't get in history books. While this work is fiction, the book can certainly be used to complement a class discussion about slavery and the experiences of enslaved Africans in this country. I highly recommend this book. I hope that other readers will enjoy and love this book, as much as I did. I hope that Ta-Nehisi will continue in this vein. His writing is powerful, and he is a great storyteller.

Ta-Nahisi Coates first foray into fiction is a well written and heartbreaking window into the injustices of slavery in the US. It does an excellent job of showing the complexities of social class and how there were definitely levels upon levels of privilege surrounding each group (ex. "Low whites" vs. slaves who had managed to purchase their freedom or were had made shady deals with the "Quality"), and also the division among even the North as well as abolitionists. There were definitely times I had to pause because of how much it hurt to read, and just left me feeling depressed at how recently these things were going on in our history + their residual effects on life today. The pacing felt a little inconsistent at times - it lagged in some spots & then jumped ahead quick in others, which is why this isn't a full 4-5 star for me (though still a solid 3.5) I do hope T. Coates will continue writing fiction though!

An important new perspective on what it meant to be a slave in Virginia from a gut-wrenching, metaphysical point of view. Beyond the chains and shackles, this book goes to the heart of what truly kept slavery in place for so many years, and what still haunts us today.

I finished reading The Water-dancer but truth be told, I wish it hadn’t ended. Not because it’s a feel good book, it’s not. But because it’s a book where the imagery is strong enough for me to stay with it for a long time and to visualise it almost as if I were there. The story of a slave and his journey to learn about himself and the special power that he has. It’s the story of a burning need to create connections with the past in order to understand the present and live the future.

The story revolves around slavers and the enslaved. There is the Underground which helps the slaves become free and find a new life. Hiram, the protagonist, has special powers which he uses to help the Underground in their quest. The torture of the separation of the families that slavery and the masters takes on the slaves is rampant. Few are untouched by it. The author has brought the pain, of the slaves, out vividly. It is a story of slavery and of deep humanity written with much sensitivity.

I recently visited Slave Haven in Memphis- a museum that used to be a house part of the Underground Railroad. There's a beautiful painting that shows the souls of those who didn't make it on the passage- both those that perished due to the conditions and those who willingly went overboard.

Understand, this isn’t your ordinary slave narrative. Set in mid-1800s Virginia, The Water Dancer is about Hiram Walker whose life is deeply affected when he nearly drowns in a river. Born into slavery and robbed of all memory of his mother, Hiram is gifted with a mysterious power that sets him off to find his freedom.⁣
⁣
In an interview with The New York Times Coates said that, in his research for the book, he came across numerous references to water in relation to those forced into slavery, starting with the Middle Passage, when many jumped off ships to escape enslavement. These images stuck with him. ⁣
⁣

This fictionalized slave narrative was a fascinating read. The style of the prose was quite distinctive and appropriate. It took me a little while to get used to the cadences and terminology he used, but not too long. It was smooth sailing after that. It's obvious that there was a lot of research that went into the book to give it an authentic feel of time and place. That was enjoyable.

I have to say that I was a little distracted by the author's reputation. I had very high expectations going into this book, and that made it more difficult for me to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Obviously, this isn't, in any way, the fault of the author. The fault is 100% mine as the reader, but I wanted to mention it because I imagine there will be others who will have a similar experience.

I chose to read this because I have heard good things about this author but have to admit, this is my first reading of his work. I understand his previous work is all nonfiction and this is his beginning attempt at a novel and it is a very solid effort. It is a heartbreaking story that really plunges you deep into the workings of slavery from the perspective of someone who is actually there. Obviously although written in first-person, the author didn't personally experience this but he does a wonderful job of really exploring the nuances and making you feel how they must have felt. If ever anyone has wondered what it must have really been like as a salve in America, I believe this book provides enough examples and anecdotes of what the atrocities of slavery were really all about -but it is surprisingly hopeful. Also, it was interesting that we got to "meet" some of the people from the Underground Railroad.

At first for me, it was a little hard to read because the language is very descriptive and verbose and the concepts are a little bit otherworldly. I have heard the term "magical realism" used by other reviewers, and I agree that makes it a little confusing, and for me, I also believe it is a missed opportunity to really get real about the Underground Railroad. Since it is fiction, however, I was able to suspend reality and just go with it. The main character has a bit of a supernatural gift which was interesting but a little bit confusing, at least initially when I wasn't sure what I was being introduced to because that is how the author starts off the book. But once I allowed myself to settle in, I felt it was beautifully written and I could really relate to the characters. Most modern-day Americans feel like slavery was some horrible but abstract concept in the past. The author effectively bridges that gap, between the past and present by writing this in such a manner that we can really relate to the characters as real human beings going through real experiences. This book although horrific in parts and certainly an emotional rollercoaster, I think is a very worthwhile read so people can truly understand what things were like and to never allow history to repeat itself.

That being said my minor critiques would be that some of the language and descriptions kind of meander especially in the beginning when I didn't quite understand what was going on. Also and of course I have zero first-hand experience with what it was like to be a black slave so it is hard to judge the authenticity, That being said, I feel like the dialogue could have been two people in the current day and I don't think they actually spoke that way. But if that was deliberate for the author to draw in a modern-day audience then it is understandable I just think that many years ago people spoke very differently. I am not a scholar of linguistics of that era and from what I have read about him, the author is, but other works I have read or movies I have seen depict the dialogue differently. So that is my only critique that there could be a lack of authenticity. Again it could also be a device used to relate to a modern reader.

Coates shows mastery of language and understanding of the complexities of the human condition in this heartbreaking but beautiful debut novel. It was definitely a good read but prepare for heaviness - not just due to the subject matter but in the relationships among characters. This realness brings the era of American slavery alive and really lets the reader see into a terrible time in American history. Coates shines a light onto what life was really like and yet brings hope onto a very dark subject.

I have loved Ta-Nehisi Coates for quite a while and have devoured his non-fiction and was excited to see him diving into Fiction as well, but unfortunately this book didn't wow me. The writing is beautiful but I didn't find that it translated well into well defined characters and plot and thus I found the book a bit tough to get through. This book also involves magical realism which can be tough to pull off and I found that it was a bit far-fetched.

The story of those who were in slavery, those released, and the relationship between the two was interesting, but I don't think it was strong enough to carry the full book.

As this is the author's first fiction book I am still excited to see where he goes in the future, but this one wasn't a full win for me.

It was as an honor to read this book. This is Coates' first novel and should not be his last. This story will absolutely move you.

<b>Warning: unpopular opinion</b>

I'm going to get the obvious out of the way: Coates is a great writer with an important voice. That's undeniable.

BUT

This isn't the best thing he's ever written. It's a good start and would be impressive for a first-time novelist. But it's a different type of art, writing a novel, compared to non-fiction books. There's story pacing and character agency. <i>The Water Dancer</i> is weak in those two aspects and feels directionless. The main character, Hiram, has very few faults and reminds me of a Gary Stu -- he's too smart, talented, (magical), and lucky. Hiram then spends more time listening to others tell their stories rather than living out his own. I understand the collection of oral stories is important for memories, but the way it was used just dragged everything to a halt. Hiriam's goal is sometimes obfuscated by other character's sitting and telling Hi their stories which makes it hard for me to remember Hiriam's motivation. I sometimes got bored because Hi was just a leaf floating down the river of this story.

Coates did an amazing job with the language in this book. The world and the people, especially the cadence of speech, are beautifully done. There's also a ton of word play (railroad, conductor, conduction) and symbolism of a dying world on the brink of change mirrored in the drying up of rich, fertile soil. You'll be entertained by the layers Coates puts into his word choices.

The best comparison I have for <i>The Water Dancer</i> is Octavia Buttler's <i>Kindred</i>. A little magic goes a long way.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Story: 3 stars
Character Development: 3 stars
Writing/Prose: 4 stars

A beautifully imagined story about freedoms & family. The Water Dancer is a must read!! Hiram Walker's story is definitely not to be missed.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is one of the greatest writers in our generation, and The Water Dancer is top-shelf, Grade A literary fiction.

It is gut-wrenching at times, focusing on the way humans respond to an institutionalized order that so drastically and cruelly separates them from the way things should naturally be. It takes place in Virginia circa late-1840s to early 1850s (based on my estimates).

The main character is Hiram, a true genius, who is the child of the slave owner and one of his slaves and condemned to a life that completely ignores his brilliance.

In a world of opportunities and free choices, a man like Hiram should have no boundaries. Compare that to the life of Hiram's white half-brother Maynard, who, despite being a complete buffoon, stands to inherit everything.

Through the story, the author invites us to people watch those around Hiram, like the perfectly coiffed and elegant members of the southern gentry who turn cruel and feral when the liquor begins to flow, compared to the bravery of a low-born white man who becomes a fearless agent of the Underground.

There are excellent, soundbite-able quotes that really deserve to be highlighted. My favorite concerned a wealthy white woman who was a secret member of the Underground, who (I'm paraphrasing) was an abolitionist because she hated the institution of slavery and what it had done to America rather than because she had any love for the enslaved.

An element of magical realism runs through the book, a latent and untapped well of power within Hiram that he must seek to control and wield. The fantasy element does not detract from the gravity of the historical fiction, if anything, the gritty realism of the work makes the fantasy element seem like it could only be true.

Highly recommended.

I have been a fan of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s writing for a few years now. Whenever he publishes a book I read it right away. His writing style is strong, articulate and persuasive. Everything he touches turns to gold and his first venture into the world of novels is no exception. I am a pretty fast reader when it comes to fiction but this book required that I take my time. I felt that every sentence carried weight and I didn’t want to skim a single one. It is set in Virginia at the end of its tobacco empire and the wealth, which means slaves, were moving South and even West. The main character is Hiram, who is the son of a slave and a landowner. He was separated from his mother after she was sold.. He always felt a hole the size of his mother and as he grew he sought ways to fill that hole which leads him to dangerous missions, including the Underground. Coates adds an element of mysticism to the story which beautifully expounds on the power of stories and familial bonds that exceed time and space. This story focuses on the horror of slavery where slave owners violently separated mothers and fathers from their children. They were never more to be seen again, Coates brilliantly shares commentary on the horror of slavery throughout the book while keeping you engaged in the storyline, never bringing you out of the story. For a topic that is so heartbreaking, so horrific, so evil, he does a beautiful job of bringing the humanity into it as well. This deserves any and all awards it will win.

An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. Thanks!

Ta-Nehisi Coates is a wonderful writer. He is bold and evocative and each piece you read leaves you wanting to read more. The writing in this novel is no different, though I would still rather spend my time with his nonfiction work.

Coates debut novel follows the path of a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Hiram narrates the entire saga from some point in the future but tells of his journey from slavery to freedom to conducting. His story blends elements of magic into its telling.

We spend most of the journey in Hiram’s head, it is these sections where I am pulled in to the introspection and rumination on his thoughts, personal development, the makeup of society, what freedom means, etc. There are tales of escape and adventure and intrigue, all of which felt a little lacking. If your reading for the advancement and development of the plot, you may be in the wrong place. The plot feels like it is used as a vehicle to certain ideas Coates wants to fully flush out, instead of being an integral part of the journey.

Sometimes very good...other times completely confusing...overall slow read, lots of time spent trying to figure out what was happening and forcing myself to continue reading instead of quitting. Not my kind of book.