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The Underground Railroad
320 pages, 2016
fiction
1382 booksCora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hell for all the slaves, but especially bad for Cora; an outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is coming into womanhood—where even greater pain awaits.
When Caesar, a recent arrival from Virginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad, they decide to take a terrifying risk and escape. Matters do not go as planned—Cora kills a young white boy who tries to capture her. Though they manage to find a station and head north, they are being hunted.
In Whitehead’s ingenious conception, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor—engineers and conductors operate a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Cora and Caesar’s first stop is South Carolina, a city that initially seems like a haven.
But the city’s placid surface masks an insidious scheme designed for its black denizens. And even worse: Ridgeway, the relentless slave catcher, is close on their heels. Forced to flee again, Cora embarks on a harrowing flight, state by state, seeking true freedom.
Like the protagonist of Gulliver’s Travels, Cora encounters different worlds at each stage of her journey—hers is an odyssey through time as well as space. As Whitehead brilliantly re-creates the unique terrors for black people in the pre–Civil War era, his narrative seamlessly weaves the saga of America from the brutal importation of Africans to the unfulfilled promises of the present day.
The Underground Railroad is at once a kinetic adventure tale of one woman’s ferocious will to escape the horrors of bondage and a shattering, powerful meditation on the history we all share.
Colson Whitehead paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities of slavery. He doesn't shy away from showing the brutal treatment of slaves, making it clear that this was a dark period in history. This book will make you see the horrors of slavery in a new light.
The main character, Cora, embodies hope and determination. Despite the hardships she faces, she never gives up on her quest for freedom. This book will inspire you to stay strong and keep pushing, no matter what life throws at you.
The Underground Railroad explores the concept of freedom in depth. It shows how precious freedom is and how far people are willing to go to achieve it. After reading this book, you'll appreciate your own freedom more and understand the struggles of those who don't have it.
Whitehead highlights the role of women in history, particularly black women. He shows that they were not just victims, but also heroes who fought for their rights. This book will make you appreciate the strength and resilience of women in history.
The book digs into the impact of racism on both individuals and society. It shows how deeply ingrained racism was in the past and how it continues to affect people today. Reading this book will make you more aware of the ongoing fight against racism.
Quotes 5
The Underground Railroad is a captivating, profound tale that stirs the soul and challenges the conscience.
Barack Obama - 44th U.S. PresidentThe Underground Railroad is a tour de force, a powerful narrative that will leave you breathless.
Oprah Winfrey - Media Executive, ActressThe Underground Railroad is a thought-provoking, deeply moving masterpiece that challenges our perceptions of history.
Bill Gates - Microsoft Co-FounderThe Underground Railroad is a work of genius, a poignant reimagining of a dark chapter in our history.
Ta-Nehisi Coates - Author, JournalistThe Underground Railroad is a compelling, heart-wrenching narrative that sheds light on our past and challenges us to do better.
Michelle Obama - Former First Lady
