Sometimes wonderful, often strange, I struggled with parts of this book but in the end loved it. Here is my book review The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Pre-Civil War

Slavery is alive and well but the great plantations of Virginia are diminishing and struggling. We are introduced to Hiram, a mixed race slave fathered by the plantation owner of Lockless. Hiram’s mother was sold when he was very young and he struggles to find his own place. Unlike any slavery novel I’ve read the vocabulary surrounding the era is interested. The “enslaved” are referred to as “tasked”, the plantation owners are the “quality” and the low-class whites are “the low”.

Conduction is the super human ability he possesses, with a handful of other like him, he is recruited to help with the underground railroad. He is betrayed by one he trusts, loses the love of his life, meets Harriet Tubman and is able to find his way in helping the Underground, and eventually finding his way back to the family he loves.

Conduction

Hiram knows always that he is different than many of the other slaves. But he doesn’t understand the super natural events that he has witnessed in his young life. He knows he is intelligent with an extraordinary photographic memory, but only after his half brother dies in a freak accident does his unique super natural abilities come to light…for both himself and one of the “quality”.

Not Just Another Slavery Story

Coates debut novel is a unique twist on the Pre-Civil War story, a look at life in slavery, the Underground work down by black and white alike, and the super natural power many African slaves believed could and would save them from the depths of a horrific life.

Four tars for The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Thanks for reading my book review The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

See last week’s book review Tom Lake by Ann Patchett.

My current read Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio

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I have read at least a half a dozen Ann Patchett novels over the years (she has 14 novels I think) and this one, Tom Lake, is my favorite by far. A beautiful story. Here is my book review Tom Lake by Ann Patchett.

Pandemic

I’ve been waiting for the first book to fall that really uses the pandemic and lockdown as part of the plot. Tom Lake does it effortlessly. Without drama or politics, the pandemic and the family bubble of the Nelson family during Covid, provides Patchett the perfect opportunity to unravel this tale.

Once Upon a Time

Northern Michigan in the spring of 2020 is about as far away from Hollywood and Movie Stars as you could get. But here we meet Lara and her three adult daughters. With husband Joe the family operates a cherry farm in Northern Michigan. The girls have returned to the nest during Covid, and together the family is desperately trying to get the cherries off the trees before fruit rots. This work, done all by hand, takes hours and hours, but gives the perfect opportunity for storytelling.

Daughters Emily, Maisie and Nel, each trying to find their own path in life, want to use the tedious time to hear their mother tell them the story of her brief time as an actress. And her brief time in a relationship with famous actor Peter Duke.

Family

This is a story about family first and foremost. It’s a look at how our children often can’t see us as people, or understand who we were before we were their parents. It’s also a story about self-discovery, young love, youthful recklessness and true love. It’s a book that makes you think about hope and happiness, even during a historic period where it seemed the world was falling apart. One of the most charming parts of this book is the solid and sublime relationship Lara has with her husband Joe…even in the midst of her narrative to her daughter about her first love Peter Duke. Patchett’s remarkable talent pulls you into the affection and tenderness this family has for each other.

Audible

This book was one of my summer audible reads, in the car. Brilliantly narrated by none other than the incomparable Meryl Streep I highly recommend it as an audible. Although I’m sure it would be just as amazing on kindle or book in hand. Whichever you chose, read Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. One of my favorites of summer 2023.

Thank you for reading my book review Tom Lake by Ann Patchett.

*****Five stars for Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Read last week’s book review The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton.

My current read The Furrows by Namwali Serpell

See this year’s Reading Round Up – My Favorite Books of the Year.

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Often over used, the word epic is the right choice for this novel which I listened to on Audible. I’ve been working my way through several Man Booker Prize winners from the past, and Sacred Hunger won this coveted prize way back in 1992. It’s a brilliant novel that still holds up nearly 30 years later. Here is my book review Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth.

Unsworth is a real talent for historical novels. The character development of this literary masterpiece is the glue to this saga.

Britain’s Sacred Hunger

Sacred Hunger, the term, is used to describe the greed and power and control used by Britain in the 1700’s to capture and transport Africans to use as slaves throughout the colonies. The book follows the folly of the “slaver” ship The Liverpool Merchant, owned by William Kemp. Kemp’s failing fortunes are devastated when the Liverpool Merchant disappears at sea, presumably lost killing crew and slaves alike. Kemp’s son and heir Erasmus, finds his dead father after his suicide due to the financial failing. Erasmus with no prospects must start from scratch to survive.

Twelve years later Erasmus will hear of a colony in Florida, living peaceably together white and black, the possible survivors of the Liverpool Merchant. Erasmus will set out for revenge against those who he believes he still owns.

Utopia

Told in a parallel story (and on audible in brilliant voices by the talented David Rintoul) the survivors of the Liverpool Merchant are many; Irish, British, African and more. Babies have been born, some have died, but together a society has been formed with no particular leader, although the doctor is one of several who stepped up to show leadership when a mutiny killed the captain.

So Much More

I’ll stop here for fear of giving too much away, but I loved this book…a perfect mix of fact and fiction and the life of slave traders, sailors and slaves alike. Engaging, deeply flawed, captivating and believable characters

Thank you for reading my book review Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth. *****Five stars for Sacred Hunger.

See last week’s book review Book Lovers by Emily Henry

See our Reading Round Up 2023 – our favorite books we read this year.

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