Trying to Review The Water Dancer

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[@acaraj]

I know one person who had read this. He really enjoyed it and keeps bugging me to hurry up and start it so we can have a discussion. The fact that you wanted to DNF it makes me want to finally pick it up and see who I agree with! lol

[@browngirlreading]

Try it!

[@eternalclaws]

Welp.... everyone talking about this book had me thinking maybe I should pick it up, but nope. It was on sale and I still hesitated to pick it up... I don’t mind the spoilers, if it saves me from a bad reading experience.

[@TheArtisanGeek]

'She started feeling like Yoda to me' sksksks lmao! 😂😂 Sorry you didn't enjoy reading the book! Some time has past since I read and reviewed it, and turns out it is not as memorable as I had expected it to be, but I still quite enjoyed it -- I would definitely be interested in comparing it to The Underground Railroad

[@browngirlreading]

I really liked The Underground Railroad by Whitehead.

[@Kamiele1908]

This was my January book club book. Hardly anyone finished it. I look at it daily as it is on my coffee table....but I’ve read 10 books since then 🤣. I still feel like I should finish it, but there are sooooo many more amazing books out there. I read where the crawdads sing and my absolute darling per your recommendations and loved them both immensely. Please keep up the good work!!!

[@browngirlreading]

I'm not surprised. I say finish it if you want too. Sometimes trying to push through books we're not enjoying can put us in a slump. Good luck no matter what you decide.

[@valkeakuulas]

Spot on with the notions. So many plots where you have to stop and take a second look at the scene. And I found the whole continuing discussion of Hiram's want to be free redundant with the ending.

[@MorganGayle]

This is probably the most honest review I've seen on booktube. I really haven't seen any more talk of this book after the first few weeks of it being released. I've sold plenty of copies though lol.

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks Morgan! funny enough The Water Dancer has 4 stars on Goodreads. how they happened?

[@RunwrightReads]

Haha Morgan. One thing I’ve learned is that book sales don’t always reflect book quality 😂 I liked this book though

[@StorytimeShon]

@@RunwrightReads I did too!

[@secundrabeasley855]

Never apologize for giving a honest review. Thanks for the video!

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks for watching! I really wanted to avoid mentioning spoilers

[@secundrabeasley855]

Now Here This! It is hear by declared that Didi can discuss spoilers in her book reviews because she is the Beyoncé of Black Readers on BookTube!

[@rosemarybanks7149]

Whoa! But I respect your critique & really appreciate your honesty. I didn’t love the book, but I enjoyed it. I thought it was about the horrifically complicated culture of slavery. How it absurdly impacted both the “quality” & “the tasked,” whose lives were so tragically intertwined. But I agree the conduction complication just didn’t work & the story became repetitive & way too long. Yet I want to allow writers with the depth of a Ta-Nehisi to fail & hope that he’ll learn from it & keep trying. Just look how far Tayari Jones came with “American Marriage” compared to her first couple of novels.

[@browngirlreading]

Yes but I don't think his writing is suited for fiction. He's a much better nonfiction writer.

[@aquil1997]

I was about half way into this book when I gave up on it. Most of booktube from what I've seen enjoys it but I was struggle reading it. It's too slow and uninteresting for me. It gives me relief that you have similar feelings, I thought I was the only one lol.

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

I finally finished the audiobook after several attempts to do so. Thanks for confirming that I'm not crazy and that this story was shoddily-constructed and not at all written for a reader to read it!

[@browngirlreading]

You're so welcome!

[@myreadinglife8816]

I love Coates’s nonfiction so I will stick with that. I am thankful for your honest review.

[@browngirlreading]

I prefer his nonfiction too.

[@StorytimeShon]

Aw man! I loved this story. I didn't read it, I listened to it on audio. I listened to it the same weekend I went to see the movie Harriet. After I did more research about Harriet Tubman and her fainting spells the story began to come together for me. I liked it a lot. I appreciate your honest review🙌🏾💛

[@browngirlreading]

Thank you!

[@KhiaComments]

I said it before and I’ll say it again: You’re the realest! I started after we began to speak about the book, and I have DNFd with no regrets. Coates is a great writer, but fiction is not his wheel house.

[@browngirlreading]

Thank you! Yes he needs to stick with nonfiction.

[@mckblm]

I loved the vanishing half. I am going to check out The Windfall. I reread HOMEGOING and I read The Immortal life of Henrietta lacks and I’m not dying with you tonight.

[@ALove4Me]

You were so kind 😂I wanted to DNF this book, but I bought tickets to the tour stop in ATL cause Tayari Jones was the MC so I wanted to finish for the live discussion. Needless to say, the discussion of the book was waaayyy better than the novel and did not provide me with any clarity. I certainly won't be picking up any more fiction from Coates, but I will read his nonfiction any day.

[@browngirlreading]

Me neither!

[@lindaleehall]

I have been unsure about getting this book based only on the synopsis. Your review convinces me that my hunch was probably right. It will be interesting to see if many other people struggle with it.

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks for trusting me!

[@BrittanyG1]

I’m just happy somebody reviewed this book that I watch lol. I listened to the audiobook which helped a lot I think. There was a lot being said. A lot of critics and observations from a present day black person’s point of view. I think that was the most obvious disconnect. I’m glad he got an opportunity to not only write a fiction novel but one about slavery set in that time period. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and giving others space to share too.

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks for watching my review. %I don't think the audiobook would have helped me.

[@esotericjp]

I’m so relieved you said you would have DNF’ed it because I did and I felt BAAAAAAADDDDD!!!! Everyone was taking pictures of and with the book and quoting it and I just felt a little stupid not being able to to keep up with it. But now that I really give it some thought, I’ve seen pictures but little discussion.

[@browngirlreading]

Ahhh the wanting to feel like you're a part of the hype. That's so normal, but it's good to resist every now and then. It can save us some money. No need to feel bad. Now you know you aren't the only one. Check out all the people in the comment section that didn't like it or DNF-ed it.

[@Dee.provost]

Good Review! I actually felt the same way at the beginning.

[@brennadavis8238]

Thanks for the review! I tried listening to this as an audiobook and had a hard time following so your review makes me feel better about not continuing. I searched your channel to see if you’ve reviewed Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead but couldn’t find it. I’d be curious to know your thoughts as it makes the Underground Railroad into an actual railroad, which isn’t the same as the superpowers you describe in this book, but is a unique fantastical element in the story. Whitehead’s narrative was powerful, and I think the fantastical bits didn’t detract from the message like you suggest they did in The Water Dancer. As always, thanks for the thoughtful commentary!

[@browngirlreading]

I liked the Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead although I haven't reviewed it.

[@critical-thought-4all561]

Love the honesty of this review--thank you!

[@browngirlreading]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@keilah4039]

That "Whew!", the sigh (and your accompanying facial expression) and the words "Where to start", could be the whole review! 😂 You had me cackling less than a minute and a half into your thoughts . . . I have it in my e-library, but I don't think I'll get to it for now . . . If you're interested in a recent slave narrative that is engrossing and beautifully written, check out _Free_ by Martin Mordecai which was published in 2018. It's a pity it hasn't gotten any attention, as far as I can see. I read it in early on in lockdown. It is a chunky read (about 600 pages), but it is thoroughly exquisite and feels more like a sprint than a marathon.

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks so much for the book rec. Sadly this book is being sold for a ridiculous amount of money but I'm going to keep it on my TBR list.

[@cher_n_books]

I was excited about this book when it was first announced but, like you, became leery when the hype started to build. Then mixed reviews started to trickle in so I held off. I appreciate the way you separated and announced the spoiler section, but that you chose to include them as it helped me make an informed decision. Thank you for saving me a few hours of disappointment, Didi. I don't think I would have loved this one. Your priceless facial expressions when you were discussing conduction told me all I need to know.

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks for understanding Cher! this was just all wrong. My face can' lie.

[@OneBookMore]

I really appreciate this review. I was surprised that I hadn't seen any reviews of this, considering all of the buzz when it came out. I'm glad that you took the time to really explain the issues you had with it without worrying about "spoilers"!

[@browngirlreading]

That's how you can tell. The marketing was huge but the review were at a minimum.

[@lisawallace1741]

I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said the other day re: Booktube and Bookstagram. Your reviews over here are so great, I hope you can keep them going. But I’m watching your IG feed now, too. I’ve been reluctant to be on another SM channel, but you are getting me there - lol

[@browngirlreading]

I'll always do complete reviews on here and on my blog. Glad you might be joining Bookstagram you won't be sorry. ;)

[@michelejuza4531]

Oh man. So. I was one of those who bought into the hype and bought it right away. But I still haven’t read it. I have friends who loved it & friends who were underwhelmed. I still plan on reading it. I love your reviews and respect your opinion. Once I read it I’m going to come back & watch this again.

[@browngirlreading]

Hope you enjoy it more than me.

[@Lesroseauxdeliv]

Thanks for the honest review. Really want to read his essays

[@browngirlreading]

I read between the World and me and really liked it.

[@Lesroseauxdeliv]

@@browngirlreading thanks for the recommendations📚😍

[@yvettem.holland5072]

I haven't read this book, but I'm having a fine time listening to you talk about how strange it is🤣🤣

[@yvettem.holland5072]

"What is the book really about? I don't know." 🤣🤣🤣

[@blutulip5587]

I tend to agree with most of the reviews you put out. Thanks for this! I thought I was the only one feeling confused...

[@nicoleisheretolearn]

I hadn’t planned on picking it up because I am *always* so anxious when great non-fiction people do fiction. It’s probably mostly irrational, but in this case...maybe not 😅

[@browngirlreading]

You should read The Last Thing You Surrender by Leonard Pitts Jr. He's Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who writes excellent fiction.

[@nicoleisheretolearn]

@@browngirlreading oh! I’ll have to make time for it.

[@reneebailey3371]

I knew there was a reason it’s still sitting on my shelf.

[@readcreaterepeat7727]

Buddy reads with Patrice are the best, sorry this one didn’t work as well. I hadn’t heard many reviews either, especially after all the hype. Thank you for doing this review. When it came out, I was first on the library list but had to return it. I kept feeling like I should get back to it but after listening to the spoilers and your review, it’s confirmed I’ll skip it. Especially since I don’t have energy for confusing books and the supernatural stuff is not really what I need right now. “He did that, and it was awful”. LOL.

[@browngirlreading]

Yes I had a fantastic time buddy reading with Patrice. I'm looking forward to our next buddy read.

[@seriela]

I appreciate your review, Didi. I don't have the time.

[@browngirlreading]

Thank you!

[@AC-ez2es]

OMG that paragraph. I am a huge fan of Ta-Nehisi Coates. I bought the Water Dancer when it came out but I wanted to save it for a special occasion (you know like a fine wine) . I will watch the rest of your review after I have read the book which is now going to be real soon. 💕💕

[@AC-ez2es]

dang, I didn't watch the entire video because I didn't want to be spoiled but reading the comments doesn't seem it's a favorite😢

[@browngirlreading]

Not really.

[@ThistleVerse]

Enjoyed the review. Was surprised you picked this book up because I thought you weren't big on the magical realism/ intrusion fantasy. A few people in my speculative fiction book club were reading it, but I don't remember what they thought of it.

[@browngirlreading]

I picked it up because I didn't want to miss Coates' first fiction novel.

[@karatepop]

Aw, nuts! I absolutely love his writing, and I was excited to see he was releasing a piece of magical realism (according to whatever bit of news I was looking at), but yikes. I'll take your word for it. Haha.

[@browngirlreading]

I wish it was better.

[@drawyourbook876]

I have heard so many mixed things about this one, but I still want to try it out for myself...

[@browngirlreading]

and try it you should. Be sure to come back and let me know what you think about it.

[@7DAYS_ATSEA]

So true , about the reviews lacking - I read it but didn’t review it because I wasn’t making videos at the time. But, I had the same issues Didi. I thought a lot of it was softly misogynistic and I didn’t get the water dancing either. It’s also highly predictable, somewhat boring and copied a lot from Morrison and others. I may review it in the future but the last time I reviewed a Coates book, I got like 87 dislikes. Lol.

[@browngirlreading]

Very peculiar book. Don't let the dislikes stop you Conrad. ;)

[@kirstenreads5983]

Thanks a lot for your review. Coates is a very sympathetic person, so as the book seems to be really weird I appreciate your honest review even more!!!

[@browngirlreading]

My pleasure! I really like Coates too but not this fiction novel. I believe he should stick with nonfiction.

[@BookishTexan]

I haven't read this book, but I am wondering if you've read Colson Whitehead's _The Underground Railroad_ and how you would compare the two since both deal with the Underground Railroad.

[@browngirlreading]

I really liked the Underground Railroad by Whitehead. I recommend it.

[@BeautifullyBookishBethany]

This is interesting! I really liked the book, but I read the magic as being a metaphor for collective memory and turning trauma into power. I think it's more about the ideas that he wants to explore than actually about the story and characters, so I totally get why it wouldn't work for everyone.

[@browngirlreading]

Nope it didn't work for me at all.

[@frankaw7607]

This was great, thank you for your honest feelings. It made me more curious about the book though, everytime someone says something was weirdly bad, it makes me want to read it more 😹

[@browngirlreading]

Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you enjoy the book more than me. :)

[@amyquinn7924]

Wow, that does sound somewhat confusing! Your explanation of why you didn't like it was interesting though and your honesty is appreciated.

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks for watching!

[@RunwrightReads]

This is the book I brought to the hospital when I was giving birth so it has some sentimental value for me and that might have colored my assessment of it but I liked it.

[@browngirlreading]

I'm going to have to say probably but I'm surprised you weren't bored out of your brain.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Not yoda 🤣🤣🤣 I so enjoyed this video! The book dragged out and I think this was a great review to capture that. For me it was hard to sum up the book, but I actually ended up liking it once the conduction was under control. I couldn’t tell Coates made the story drag out to show the way life during slavery, like a more realistic picture of the day to day. I say this because while reading I felt stuck and like I just wanted it to be over, as if I was there, going through the depressive states with Hiram🤷🏾‍♀️ ...who knows. Anyhoo, I thought the book was about the psychological trauma of separation that took place during slavery as well as reclaiming power through remembering. SPOILER : that Harriet Tubman part served no purpose

[@LEFTONREAD]

*Couldn’t tell if Coates

[@browngirlreading]

I'm glad somebody liked it.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Brown Girl Reading 😂😂😂

[@christineb2797]

Darn, I wanted to love this book. “ He did that” 🤣🤣In a lighter note your ring is lovely.

[@browngirlreading]

Me too, but nah bruh! LOL! Thank you!

[@beautynscience2010]

Great review Didi. You gave your honest opinion. I read this earlier this year. Overall, I found it ok. A few sections dragged and were very hard to follow/visualize. I think the main challenge was that he tried too hard to combine two completely different genres. It would have worked fine as just a fantasy focusing on Haram's powers channelling is African ancestor etc. Adding the underground railroad storyline was a misstep and confused the plot. He should have then wrote a book on the underground railroad and connect it to Haram's struggle for freedom. Then hint at his powers at the end which could lead to a sequel.😂😂😂

[@browngirlreading]

Interesting take on what could have been. Fantasy really isn't my bag.

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

I wanted to read this coming into this review. Honestly, as much as you disliked it, the weirdness and the supernatural stuff sounds really interesting to me. I look forward to finishing your review after I eventually read it.

[@browngirlreading]

Hope you enjoy it even though I didn't.

[@MrRorosuri]

💖

[@TeresaNC1]

Well that's off any book radar for me.😳

[@WordWoman111]

This book is not an easy read. Some books have to let you in, this is one. I agree that it's slow and hard to follow in parts, [ I skipped most of the middle, read the last third and then went back to the middle. As a fan of magical realism, this book kept me intrigued enough to finish it. The Water Dancer refers to his mom and a few others, including Harriet Tubman, who uses water dancing to ignite or conduct the magic; something he inherited. I think Coates should continue writing fiction. He needs more experience with it or better editors, but he is a beautiful writer. When I first picked up the book Beloved I didn't get it, but a year later I was able to understand it and it's in my top 5 books of all time. I would say try the book, but perhaps with a guide to help you understand the nuances. Thanks for your honest opinion.

[@browngirlreading]

You got all of that and you skipped most of the middle. Bravo!

[@louloureads3953]

I’ve only read one review of this - can’t remember who reviewed it, but I remember that the reviewer felt that all the stuff going on with Harriet Tubman undermined her actual accomplishments and life experiences by introducing the supernatural/magical realism elements and making her seem more divorced from reality.

[@browngirlreading]

Totally! Harriet Tubman can stand on. her own.

[@Mill875]

This one wasn't a hit for me either. I pushed through and enjoyed probably the last 30%, but...that's a lot to push through.

[@ReviewsMayVary]

I really liked the story, itself, overall but I thought that there was a lot of "extra" in the writing. It's like Coates couldn't let go of some of his essay voice for the novel. I also hate when people make Tubman something supernatural. It really diminishes her work, IMO.

[@browngirlreading]

I hated that supernatural Tubman too. It just wasn't necessary. She's great on her own.

[@lyddie465]

this review did not go how i thought it was gonna go, omg! one of my most anticipated reads of last year too. i'm still on hold at the library for it. sounds like ta-nehisi coates tried to do magical realism and it just went weird lol! thanks for the heads up.

[@browngirlreading]

Yep it was a disaster. Smh...

[@LiterarySisters]

I got it on audio and I was lost for the majority of the beginning. I bought it. So I felt pressure to read it. I'm not sure what the theme was or supposed to be. I thought it was beautifully narrated which made it enjoyable to listen to. Had I consumed it in physical form, I prob would have dnf'ed it. ijs

[@ONYXPages]

Watching! 🙅🏾‍♀️

[@ONYXPages]

You at 2:25.... yooo lol

[@ONYXPages]

Stopped at 6:12 because I want to read the book first but I agree, lots of hype... few reviews...

[@EnigmaticPsyche]

Read it for book club - none of us finished it. It was very difficult to keep my attention. Wasn't bored but wasn't invested either. I did want to finish to see what happens, buuuuttt several months later, I still haven't picked it back up. Sigh...

[@browngirlreading]

I'm not surprised.

[@reillyjt412]

Yes!! I just finished it and had to look to see if other people felt the same way I did. Not sure why other booktubers liked it because there was so much wrong imo. I could sometimes see what Coates was trying to do-show the importance of storytelling and memory for Black survival, gender dynamics, disassociation from trauma.... but none of it worked. The whole story was a mess and the characters were flat and the writing wasn’t even that good. I think it might actually have more potential as a miniseries tv show where the drama of helping enslaved people escape could be heightened and they could actually do some cool stuff with the supernatural element.

[@reillyjt412]

Also so glad I found your channel from this review! Subscribed!

[@browngirlreading]

This book hardly has any reviews. The people that loved it didn't even doe reviews so as soon as I started reading it I understood why nobody was reviewing it.Mind you everybody was taking a picture with it on Iinstagram though. ;)

[@bookwhimsy]

Yeah, maybe I’ll stick to his nonfiction 😬

[@azhairving]

I thought it was me. I kept feeling like I had missed something and kept going back. I never got through to the end.

[@browngirlreading]

I'm not surprised. Smh...

[@tsg336]

I started this book bought it when it first came out. Just couldn’t get into it. Will try again at a later date since I spent $25 good dollars on it.🙃

[@browngirlreading]

Sorry about that.Maybe use your local library before you invest so much.

[@geickmey]

Nice attempt, Didi! Some books are just hard to review, period, especially when they combine so many elements. I don't mind the spoilers either; I think spoiler free is a little overrated. Hope your next book is better!

[@browngirlreading]

I try to do spoiler free so that people will actually watch. these videos.

[@geickmey]

@@browngirlreading Good point. I guess I mean, it may be less important with certain books more than others. Some genres really rely on plot twists and surprises. And for me, story is important but not the only factor.

[@Popsplaining]

I stand by my critiqued that Ta-Nehisi Coates is a much better essayist and cultural commentator than fiction writer. 😖 This book just has so many ideas in it that would be better as a TED Talk than as a work of fiction. Likewise, I know I may catch flack for this, but I took a bit of umbrage with Coates renaming the enslaved as "the tasked." "Tasked" calls to mind having a particular "Reason" for why you're doing something or involved in an act. On the other hand, the word, "enslaved," is exactly as it seemed with African-Americans being forced into American Chattel Slavery. SMH I didn't buy Coates reasoning for changing the words and it just added to the confusion of the overall narrative for me.

[@browngirlreading]

I hadn't thought of that.

[@breehill9042]

Whooo yes! The celebs were HYPING this book

[@csd8204]

You should've read Standing at the Scratch Line instead. The first book by Maya Angelou's son, Guy Johnson. A little known black classic.

[@browngirlreading]

This is a video about The Water Dancer.

[@readerofacertainage4407]

Thank you for this review. I found this book a hot mess. Yes, there were beautifully written segments BUT the story didn’t stand up. I felt the author couldn’t make up his mind what he wanted to say and where he wanted to take the reader. Like you, I scratched my head and said what was this novel about??!!

[@browngirlreading]

I totally agree!

[@BandyAndysExcellentEssays]

Was it weird to anyone else that the protagonist despises his brother but the audience has no reason to dislike him and he actually seems like a fun character?

[@browngirlreading]

Nope I was too busy trying to figure why people were saying and doing what they were doing.

[@BandyAndysExcellentEssays]

@@browngirlreading lol fair enough thank you for reviewing!!

[@PrettyBrownEyeReader]

This wasn't a bad review. I enjoyed the realness. I tried not to laugh when you said the weirdness of the book. The only thing I have heard about this book is the audiobook is really good because Joe Morton reads it.

[@browngirlreading]

I wasn't happy that I had to use spoilers. I don't usually do that.

[@sayyidahthewriter]

Joe Morton was the best thing about the audiobook!

[@starian72]

It did sound like it was going to be a good book but ehhh the magical realism turned me off because I always get lost lol. Okay I'm skipping this one because if you didn't understand this book then I'd be SUPER lost and not know what's going on at all! "what is the book really about? I don't know!" LOL!!!

[@browngirlreading]

Geraldine I don't think you'd like this one.

[@Popsplaining]

In regards to the "supernatural elements," I can't figure out why people keep trying to add these otherworldly elements to Slavery when the fact that our ancestors survived is magic in itself. You don't need to make Harriet Tubman into a superhero (like in the Harriet movie) to be in awe of her strength or write a slave narrative where water appears out of thin air for the protagonist because his/her/their survival is enough of a magical event. SMH I truly don't understand this thought process since it almost feel as if folks want to rewrite the narrative of Black people as if they're ashamed of the history of the people and require more of their ancestors.

[@browngirlreading]

Exactly! I was thinking that the entire time I was reading it. Smh...

[@1siddynickhead]

I haven't read this but I'm wondering if its the insertion of the supernatural elements that took you by surprise. That has happened to me where I felt magical realism or supernatural elements didn't fit the story at all. And I personally don't like it when supernatural elements are in literary fiction but that's just me.

[@browngirlreading]

Yes because they are not explained well and their connection to the title The Water Dance is even more vague.

[@MarinaNtsonga]

Thank you for your honest review, I ain't buying this one.

[@browngirlreading]

No don't. and it's long.....

[@audreyh7892]

Hmmm....this doesn't sound like anything I could understand. I am pretty "rock is a rock". Symbolism galore and craziness just go over my head.

[@browngirlreading]

Symbolism for symbolism sake issa a no for me.

[@kaythereader]

Thanks so much for this review. This sounds like a "no" for me.

[@browngirlreading]

No I don't think you'd like this book at all.

[@breehill9042]

If you’re going to throw a supernatural element into a historical time period to switch things up or whatever, we have to Understand the Why and Where it’s going to take the story

[@browngirlreading]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

[@bookishwithmariah2170]

Ok ao i just finished this one! I enjoyed it a bit but honestly I almost DNF the book. I appreciated the beautiful symbolism and writing with in the book but I had a hard time truly following the story. At times I felt like I got lost and confused to where the main character focus was heading. The authors writing style really left me confused and I spent along time just trying to get through the book. I enjoyed the parts I did understand for what it was but I honestly got to page 150 and didn't understand much of it which I hate to have to admit. I love your review! I am new to book tube please checkout my new channel.

[@browngirlreading]

It was just meh for me.

[@josryder7841]

My mother read this and saved me the aggravation LOL she read this coming off of Between The Work and Me and was like uhhhh NOPE. so yeaahhh ...thats gonna be a no for me. I'll just reread his piece from The Atlantic LOL

[@browngirlreading]

I'm so glad you understood my attempt review.

[@josryder7841]

Brown Girl Reading i sure did! But why is it that SOOO many people raved over this one? I blame Oprah🤷🏽‍♀️😂

[@judybrown1624]

I stopped watching because of spoilers. I read two chapters and came back. I'm glad I only read two chapters. So many books, so little time. At 70, I can't waste time on books I don't love.

[@browngirlreading]

This is practically the only review I've done with spoilers. I just couldn't do it any other way. Enjoy!

[@JaneDoe-xs1vg]

I was considering reading this bc I've read articles and nonfiction from Ta-Nehisi Coates (and he is a good writer in general), but it looks like this just cements my decision to avoid this 😂. Honestly, it just sounds like he tried too hard to make the story unique and meaningful while maybe ignoring some fundamentals of storytelling. If he keeps going, hopefully he gets better at some of those basics. Thanks for the honest review tho!

[@browngirlreading]

Exactly!

[@sayyidahthewriter]

I also DNFed the book.

[@browngirlreading]

That's what some people are saying but I think I would have DNF-ed the audiobook too. Smh...

[@jellybean5326]

Damn I bought the book and now I’m a little worried!

[@browngirlreading]

You should be. Good luck with it though.

[@littlebear3879]

Only because you read it did I read it (refused to listen to your review prior to the start). I’m just at the woman and son who was freed in Philly! Then came back to watch YOU thinking what the hell could you say and add good 😂? Yes!!! It’s very confusing. I have stopped your video at 11.48 secs as now I will persevere to finish but I did want to stop early like you also.

[@paula1755]

I forgot that I bought this book when it first came out. Your review reminded me of why I DNF'd it halfway through. All the hype for such a disappointing book.

[@browngirlreading]

I'm actually not surprised. That could have been me, except I would have done it around page 60

[@dancingwithnature925]

Lol I picked this book up to read and put it down last year,picked it up again this year in January to finish and all I can say is it “drowned” me! lol 👎🏽

[@robertreadingroomreviews751]

I think going have to delay reading this book.

[@browngirlreading]

Why?

[@robertreadingroomreviews751]

Because looking at your review seen may difficult reead

[@LAZERMAC87]

I’m 25 pages from the end and I just want it to stop already. I love Coates I have read all of his non-fiction and most of his Marvel comics. But this is just sooo boring. Why is there even supernatural elements if the main character is only going to use it once?! I head this book was about a slave with supernatural powers! I thought this was going to be Carrie but Carrie was a slave girl fucking up slave owners! That’s the book I want.

[@browngirlreading]

Not to mention not takes away from Harriet Tubman giving her powers. I agree with everything you said.

[@cai_nwa_ogu]

That passage you read in the beginning has me worried. The use of language is concerning... I think I may just leave this one alone.

[@browngirlreading]

Yeah I'm not surprised. It definitely wasn't his best.

[@KayAmpersand]

Uh oh, I am only a minute in and it doesn't sound good.

[@KayAmpersand]

I am a bit tired of the slave narrative altogether. How much more brutality do we need to read about? I thought this will be different with the special powers. I am fine with magical realism if it makes sense to the actual people/culture/folklore. This is what I thought was interesting about this book - giving a Black man some power. But it seems like this wasn't executed very well.

[@1book1review]

Kinda glad I wasn't attracted to this anyway now.