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.

Just like Hiram Walker in The Water Dancer, I found myself visited by Coates' characters as I went through my day. This is one of those magical books, seeded in history, that informs the reader in a way only story can accomplish. Ta-Nehisi Coates is a national treasure, and The Water Dancer speaks profoundly to this time. It joins Colson Whitehead's Underground Railroad on my "pantheon shelf." And will, no doubt, be at the tip of my tongue when I'm asked for recommendations. More than a book, The Water Dancer is an experience. The humanity of his characters, the specificity of their experience, the fresh take on a period that has been written about for 150 years and yet never enough -- and most of all, Coates' breadth of imagination and command of his craft -- all of these things combine to make this the book of the year. Preorder it right now.

Hiram Walker was born the son of the plantation owner and a slave. He grows up knowing he is different, extremely intelligent, and has a gift that is emerging as time goes on. Hiram becomes involved with the Underground Railroad and has the opportunity to work both in Virginia, where he was enslaved, and in Philadelphia, where he escapes to. The author has provided extensive information about the workings of the railroad and the disparate personalities that fought for freedom for various reasons. In some ways this book is reminiscent of Colson Whitefield's Underground Railroad, but I enjoyed this story much more.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction even though it is sometimes hard to read about the injustices. Hiram overcomes the system on his own terms and in his own way. It's an important lesson to learn.

Just finished reading an advance copy of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s upcoming first novel, The Water Dancer, a fabulist tale of the Underground Railroad. Lyrical and moving from start to finish. It’s due out in September, and you’re all in for a fantastic treat.

This is a brilliant and beautiful book. I have never read any of Ta-Nehisi Coates' other work, so I was unprepared to be so blown away by his beautiful prose and creative storytelling. The Water Dancer is the story of Hiram, a slave who is tasked with the care of his half-brother, the overly-indulged heir of the plantation. After narrowly escaping death by drowning, Hiram realizes that he is meant to be free, and makes plans to escape. His decision sets events in motion that span counties, states, and years as Hiram enlists in the Underground Railroad and fights for freedom and restoration.

The first thing to know is that this story is not meant to be a fast-paced thriller. The descriptions in the story are inviting and delicious. They draw the reader into Hiram's world and describe a detailed world that in some ways is unfamiliar to us today, but also could be uncomfortably familiar for a society that claims to be so far past the atrocities of the slavery era. One of my favorite things about the book was the way that Coates used Hiram's inner musings to sprinkle profound thoughts throughout the story. There were several times that I had to stop and ponder what I had just read. It's definitely a story that is meant to be slowly savored and enjoyed.

Another thing that is especially enjoyable is the characters. They are all so meaningful, and there's rich analysis to be found by examining who the characters and what they may represent. I also found myself deeply caring for so many of them. It's been a long time since I felt truly devastated by the setbacks and grief experienced by characters in a book.

I also loved that this book doesn't fit snugly in the historical fiction genre. It's based off of real places and things (and there's even an appearance of at least one real historical figure), but Coates re-imagines them in a unique way that completely fits the context of the story. It also has elements of magical realism that work so well with the purpose of the story. It's not historical fiction as we're used to, but it's new and beautiful and delightful.

Overall, this is a book that will captivate you, make you think, and stir your heart. It seems like there is already a good amount of buzz about the book, and I really hope that the momentum continues. It's one of those stories that truly deserves all the attention it could possibly receive. I'm also now a dedicated reader of Mr. Coates, and I look forward to enjoying whatever his future projects may be!

I'm grateful to Ta-Nehisi Coates, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for allowing me an opportunity to read and honestly review this book!

I went in to this knowing the topics were ones that would be difficult to read. I've read many of Coates' previous work in The Atlantic and he has always been able to write about such topics in a way that you are able to understand the deep emotions involved with out being too overwhelmed. He's done it again with The Water Dancer. This book was masterfully written and really allows you to learn about the psychological implications and affects slavery had and continues to have on the black community. I don't have any personal experience with this and I don't know nearly enough about the topic, only what was taught in school, so this book was an eye-opener in a lot of ways.

WOW! Coates has blown my mind with The Water Dancer! I really didn't know what I was getting into when I started, but I just couldn't put it down. I love that it has such a unique look at history combined with fantasy. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The prose is magjestic(not a typo, a combination of magnificent and majestic). And the reason why I lead with that is simply, the magjesty(not a typo)will keep you going when this bold and very ambitious novel drags a little under the weight of the challenge of crafting a story about the ills and evils of slavery, without the loudness.

“It always happened like this—that is what I had been told. Bored whites were barbarian whites. While they played at aristocrats, we were their well-appointed and stoic attendants. But when they tired of dignity, the bottom fell out. New games were anointed and we were but pieces on the board. It was terrifying. There was no limit to what they might do at this end of the tether, nor what my father would allow them to do.”

The foundation of this novel is slavery, and the story is told in a whisper, not a shout, but it so fits the protagonist Hiram Walker. Hiram is the enslaved son of the master, Howell Walker on Lockless, a tobacco plantation in Virginia.

In a nod to that whisper I mentioned, Coates avoids the use of master, masters, slaves, enslaved, etc. instead of employing those terms so familiar to us all concerning slavery, Coates boldly creates a new language referring to the master class as the “Quality” and the enslaved as the “tasked.”An interesting choice of terms that speaks to ambition and boldness, no?

Although Hiram Walker is tasked in the house of his father and enjoys some ‘privilege’ he still pines for freedom. “So as to my freedom, the events stood thus: I knew that I would never advance beyond my blood-bound place at Lockless.”

In his quest for freedom, there are some costly miscalculations and Hiram suffers some setbacks that lead to greater comebacks as he becomes active in the famed Underground Railroad. Hiram is blessed with the power of conduction, not just in the regular sense of the word, but in a magical realism sense.

He has experienced this power in him during a near death drowning at Lockless, but has never learned how to harness this power at his demand. That all changes, when he meets none other than Moses herself, Harriet Tubman while working the underground.

I find it very curious to write this conduction business as magical realism(for lack of a better term) because I think it diminishes all the courageous and daring actions taken by those on their way to freedom.

It feels dismissive of what one had to endure to reach freedom, and in some ways denies the obvious brilliance and bravery of a Harriet Tubman who chose to return to the coffin(slavery in the Deep South) again and again and..... I love Coates’ writing but I am not enamored with that choice.

Having said that, I still enthusiastically recommend this novel, just superbly written with a cast of engaging characters, some intrigue, some thrills, and yes some horror, but not written horrifically( the whispering). I’m certain this book will garner a multitude of discussion and commerce. Ta-Nehisi Coates can now confidently add novelist to his writing career! Thanks to Netgalley and OneWorld-Random House Publishing for an ARC. Book is out 9/24/2019.

Ta-Nehisi Coates can write a great article.
He can speak elegantly at conferences, and interviews. He even writes comic books (Marvel’s Black Panther). So its no surprise that his debut novel, The Water Dancer is just as engaging as any of his other works.
The Water Dancer introduces us to Hiram, a slave in Virginia in the days before the Civil War. Hiram is like many slaves, and yet quite different. He has a gift, a gift that shows him memories of his past, of people who no longer exist on the property Lockless, Lockless owned by Howell Walker.
We see the Underground Railroad, historical persons, and fictional.
Coates writes in a way that makes the pages continue to turn, wondering what is going to happen to Hiram next. The conversations between characters go on for pages, and feel real, full of doubt and longing for anything but the life they are living.
The book shows what slavery can make a person do, even if in a bit of a watercolor portrayal. Of what it is like to be removed from everything, and everyone you know. How to rebuild from that loss.

Ta-Nehisi Coates' debut fiction novel brings his deep understanding on race relations in America into a new form with The Water Dancer. Hiram Walker was born a into bondage in the Antebellum South. What unfolds throughout the novel is not a typical meditation on slavery, and it is uniquely powerful in its use of magical realism and mysticism to grapple with complex themes of oppression, freedom, family, and home, as Hiram navigates the Underground Railroad.

This took me forever to read, mostly because I was too busy to sit. The story itself, is not "new", but the characters, the take on the whole underground railroad is new and different. I really enjoyed not only the basic story, but the way the author developed the characters and allowed them to grow and change.

I had to get this after reading between the world and me. It took me a little bit to get through because the writing is denser and not the easiest to read (not a bad thing!) This book was just so real with its descriptions of slavery. The characters were all described beautifully. Love the build up with what happened to his mother.