In 'Washington Black', Esi Edugyan crafts an extraordinary tale of an eleven-year-old boy born into slavery on a Barbados sugar plantation. After a dramatic escape, he finds himself thrust into a world of adventure, exploring the Arctic and navigating the complexities of freedom and identity. As Washington grapples with his past and the weight of history, he discovers the transformative power of hope and resilience. This vivid narrative weaves together themes of race, belonging, and the quest for self-determination. With rich imagery and unforgettable characters, Edugyan invites readers to embark on a journey that challenges their perceptions of freedom and humanity.
By Esi Edugyan
Published: 2019
"Freedom is a bright room, one that is filled with light and air; it is not just the absence of chains, but the presence of possibility."
ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • MAN BOOKER PRIZE FINALIST • “A gripping historical narrative exploring both the bounds of slavery and what it means to be truly free.” —Vanity Fair Eleven-year-old George Washington Black—or Wash—a field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is initially terrified when he is chosen as the manservant of his master’s brother. To his surprise, however, the eccentric Christopher Wilde turns out to be a naturalist, explorer, inventor, and abolitionist. Soon Wash is initiated into a world where a flying machine can carry a man across the sky, where even a boy born in chains may embrace a life of dignity and meaning, and where two people, separated by an impossible divide, can begin to see each other as human. But when a man is killed and a bounty is placed on Wash’s head, they must abandon everything and flee together. Over the course of their travels, what brings Wash and Christopher together will tear them apart, propelling Wash ever farther across the globe in search of his true self. Spanning the Caribbean to the frozen Far North, London to Morocco, Washington Black is a story of self-invention and betrayal, of love and redemption, and of a world destroyed and made whole again.
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“Freedom is a bright room, one that is filled with light and air; it is not just the absence of chains, but the presence of possibility.”
Washington Black
By Esi Edugyan
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Esi Edugyan is a Canadian author known for her evocative storytelling and exploration of themes related to identity, history, and the complexities of the human experience. She was born in Calgary, Alberta, to Ghanaian parents and has garnered international acclaim for her works. Edugyan's notable novels include 'Half-Blood Blues', which won the Scotiabank Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and 'Washington Black', a finalist for the Booker and winner of the 2019 Giller Prize. Her writing often blends rich historical detail with deep character exploration, making her narratives both compelling and thought-provoking.
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