Books matching: underground railroad
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- #1
Save:'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is a novel that reimagines the historical underground network that helped slaves escape the South as a literal underground railroad. The story follows Cora, a young slave who embarks on a dangerous journey for freedom, while being pursued by a relentless slave catcher. The book blends elements of fantasy and harsh reality, highlighting the horrors of slavery and the resilience of those who fought against it. Whitehead's writing style weaves historical facts with fictional elements, creating a compelling narrative that delves into themes of freedom, humanity, and survival.
This was her grandmother talking. Cora’s grandmother had never seen the ocean before that bright afternoon in the port of Ouidah and the water dazzled after her time in the fort’s dungeon. The dungeon... - #2
Save:Bound for Canaan by Fergus M. Bordewich is a detailed and comprehensive history of the Underground Railroad, chronicling the evolution of America's first civil rights movement from scattered individual acts to a well-organized network aiding fugitive slaves. The book delves into the stories of courageous individuals, both known and lesser-known, who risked everything to help others gain freedom, highlighting the struggles, dangers, and triumphs of those involved in this movement.
Josiah Henson’s earliest memory was of the day that his father came home with his ear cut off. He, like his parents, had been born into slavery, and knew no other world beyond the small tract of tidew... - #3
Save:The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead is a powerful and poignant novel set in the Jim Crow South during the Civil Rights movement. The story follows Elwood Curtis, a black teenager who gets mistakenly arrested and sent to a reform school in Florida in the 1960s. Based on real events, the book delves into the injustices and mistreatment faced by Elwood and his friend Turner at the Nickel Academy, a place where racism, cruelty, and corruption thrive. Through well-crafted characters and a gripping plot, the author sheds light on the resilience and hope displayed by the characters amidst the harrowing mistreatment they endure.
The writing style of Colson Whitehead in The Nickel Boys is described as excellent, engaging, and evocative. Readers praise the author for his ability to tackle difficult topics like racism, abuse, and the broken criminal justice system with sensitivity and honesty. The book is commended for its compelling narrative that is based on real events but avoids graphic details, making it a worthwhile and enlightening read that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.
Elwood received the best gift of his life on Christmas Day 1962, even if the ideas it put in his head were his undoing. Martin Luther King at Zion Hill was the only album he owned and it never left th... - #4
Save:'The Last Runaway' by Tracy Chevalier is a historical fiction novel set in 1850s America, following the journey of Honor Bright, a young Quaker woman from England. The book explores themes of Quaker culture, the Underground Railroad, and Honor's struggles as she navigates a new life in Ohio after the death of her sister. The writing style captures the details of everyday life in rural Ohio, the complexities of human engagement, and the challenges Honor faces in upholding her principles in a changing society.
SHE COULD NOT go back. When Honor Bright abruptly announced to her family that she would accompany her sister Grace to America—when she sorted through her belongings, keeping only the most necessary, ... - #5
Save:The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a historical fiction novel that follows the story of Hiram Walker, an enslaved man with a special ability who becomes an Underground Railroad conductor. The book explores themes of love, loss, family, and the liberating power of memory, all while delving into the horrors of slavery. Coates combines his knowledge of slavery with magical realism to create a lyrical and compelling narrative that follows Hiram's journey from the plantation to the Underground Railroad and back.
AND I COULD ONLY have seen her there on the stone bridge, a dancer wreathed in ghostly blue, because that was the way they would have taken her back when I was young, back when the Virginia earth was ... - #6
Save:'Indigo' by Beverly Jenkins is a historical romance novel set during the darkest times in U.S. history, focusing on passion, love, hope, fear, faith, deception, and friendship. The story follows Hester Wyatt, a rescued slave living as a free woman in Michigan, who becomes involved in the underground railroad. When she takes in a wounded fellow member known as The Black Daniel, her life takes a dramatic turn. The book beautifully combines romance with real history, providing accurate historical references and weaving in details about the Underground Railroad. The characters, especially Galen and Hester, are strong, well-developed, and their relationship is engaging and captivating.
Three loud thumps echoed through the floor beneath Hester's feet—a signal that her guests had finally arrived. She quickly moved aside the rocker, positioned as always in front of the big bay window, ... - #7
Save:The House of Dies Drear is a mystery novel that follows the story of Thomas Small and his family as they move into a historic home in Ohio that was once part of the Underground Railroad. The book is filled with surprising twists and turns as strange events start happening in the supposedly haunted house, revealing hidden secrets and mysteries from the past. The plot revolves around the exploration of the house's history, including its role in sheltering runaway slaves, the presence of secret passages, and the eerie encounters with ghosts and the caretaker.
THOMAS DREAMED HE walked a familiar forest, following a time-worn path of the Tuscaroras. The trail seemed the same as he had known it all his life. The way he walked it, without making any sound, was... - #8
Save:Set in pre Civil War Maryland, 'Song Yet Sung' by James McBride follows the story of Liz Spocott, a runaway slave with prophetic dreams of the future. Chained in an attic with other captives by the notorious slave catcher Patty Cannon, Liz learns about the intricate Code used by slaves to communicate and navigate the dangers of the underground railroad. As Liz escapes and is pursued by both Patty Cannon and a slave hunter hired by her owner, the story unfolds with a mix of vivid historical details, intense chase sequences, and the exploration of the complexities of freedom and captivity during that era. McBride's writing style is described as unique, with spare prose that adds to the enjoyment of the plot, even though some readers found the lack of character detail a bit lacking.
She dreamed of Negroes driving horseless carriages on shiny rubber wheels with music booming throughout, and fat black children who smoked odd-smelling cigars and walked around with pistols in their p... - #9
Save:Nicole Glover's 'The Conductors' is a captivating blend of historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy set in Reconstruction era Philadelphia. The story follows the titular Conductors, Hetty and Benjy, who navigate post-Civil War life by solving crimes within the black community that are overlooked by the local police. The book introduces a fascinating mix of magic systems, engaging characters, and a suspenseful murder mystery that keeps readers engrossed from start to finish. Glover's writing style expertly weaves together elements of historical accuracy, fantasy, and intricate world-building, creating a unique and immersive reading experience.
Hetty and Benjy, the central characters, are portrayed as a dynamic duo with a deep bond and a shared history of working on the Underground Railroad. The author skillfully integrates themes of magic, community, and resilience into the narrative, providing readers with a richly layered story that explores complex societal issues and personal relationships. The book's vivid descriptions, well-developed characters, and intriguing plot twists make 'The Conductors' a standout debut that offers a fresh perspective on post-Civil War America through the lens of magic and mystery.
WHEN THE WAGON ROLLED into view, Hetty took another small step along the tree branch. Lookout was not a role she would have chosen, but Benjy had argued a trap was useless if it wasn’t sprung in the r... - #10
Save:The Floating Theatre by Martha Conway is a historical novel set aboard a nineteenth-century riverboat theater, following the life of May Bedloe, a talented young woman who works as a seamstress on the Floating Theatre. The story unfolds as May becomes involved in rescuing and transporting runaway slaves to the north, all while navigating the challenges of living and working on the riverboat. The book beautifully captures the tight-knit bond of the traveling actors, their family dynamics, and May's journey towards independence and self-discovery. The narrative delves into the complexities of life on the boat, the productions, and the interactions between the characters, weaving a compelling tale set against the backdrop of the Northern and Southern States in 1838.
