Helpful Score: 7
Every now and again you happen by a book that, from the first few pages, is simply superb. This is a tremendously well written book that captures the spirit of slaves, ranging from beaten down submission to unshakeable faith in the idea of being free. The characters in this book do not follow any kind of cliche. They are three-dimensional and riveting. This is a wonderful book.
Helpful Score: 2
A disappointing outing for this fine author. i felt that his writing style,this time out,to be confusing and choppy at times.
maybe i should have pushed on,but the story did not grab me,as i hoped it would.
maybe i should have pushed on,but the story did not grab me,as i hoped it would.
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely loved this book. I thought the story was well thought out, and the "code" was such a neat part of the book. The characters were well developed and while reading, I became so hopeful for each of them. This is a book I will recommend to everyone!
Helpful Score: 1
This book is an amazing recount of the period before the civil war. A runaway female slave in the swamps of the Eastern shore, fighting to survive and is in search of "the code", the guarded communication system for slaves on the run. Great descript tellings of hope and vilence between slave catchers, plantation owners, waterman, runaway slaves, and free blacks. His use of southern dialect for that period made the story seem real, and the characters valid. After reading this, author James McBride is now one of my favorites, as I purchased his other two bestsellers Miracle at St. Anna, and The Color of Water. The book was a great introduction to historical fiction genre for me.
Loved this book. A great story and much insight into the history of slavery in the US.
