tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post3767753734461337900..comments2024-03-27T22:25:42.129-05:00Comments on Reading the Past: Book review: The Underground Railroad, by Colson WhiteheadSarah Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-16362792944803714672016-11-18T16:06:03.018-06:002016-11-18T16:06:03.018-06:00Yes, that's the scene I meant. Sorry!Yes, that's the scene I meant. Sorry!Sue Bursztynskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362273418897882971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-88930798229021441172016-11-15T18:19:59.929-06:002016-11-15T18:19:59.929-06:00I understand not wanting to read the book for a wh...I understand not wanting to read the book for a while after being immersed in the subject for so long.<br /><br />Your anecdotes reflect what I'm seeing as well. We have many worried students on campus, and battles playing out in chalk messages on many of the sidewalks.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-13581748669310456052016-11-14T13:23:15.887-06:002016-11-14T13:23:15.887-06:00So far I haven't had the heart to read this af...So far I haven't had the heart to read this after living within it for researching Slave Coast, and then touring Slave Coast, for so many years. And talking talking talking about all these matters with so many African Americans for whom none of this is abstraction.<br /><br />I want to read it, but so far haven't made it so.<br /><br />And now -- lordessa save us.<br /><br />Anecdotally only, the most angry people I know right now are youngish to going into middle age women who own their own (generally very small) business. The most frightened I know are all African American women who have / had children and grandchildren. Even more frightened than various latinos and muslims in our circles.<br />Foxessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754083123669916994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-42056654057412227282016-11-14T09:22:30.471-06:002016-11-14T09:22:30.471-06:00Yes, I agree - the author's decision to tell C...Yes, I agree - the author's decision to tell Cora's story that way worked very well.<br /><br />After finishing the book the first time, I skimmed through it again before writing the review, but I feel like I should read it again, more thoroughly.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-54757341540319544302016-11-14T09:15:01.709-06:002016-11-14T09:15:01.709-06:00I thought the very end was fitting, and hopeful, b...I thought the very end was fitting, and hopeful, but there was a scene before that that was extremely sad. I hadn't been expecting it, but maybe should have.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-46070786235722770472016-11-14T09:01:41.410-06:002016-11-14T09:01:41.410-06:00Yes, it is both of those things.Yes, it is both of those things.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-41045389909380334832016-11-14T08:54:50.911-06:002016-11-14T08:54:50.911-06:00I thought that not emphasizing Cora's inner f...I thought that not emphasizing Cora's inner feelings allowed the author to focus on what was happening from a more removed POV. <br /><br />Funny, you suggest one more reading. I checked it out of the library twice to do just that. Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15988251415347075888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-50571156446675671182016-11-14T02:01:57.167-06:002016-11-14T02:01:57.167-06:00I read this soon after it came out, after listenin...I read this soon after it came out, after listening to the author interviewed on the radio. A terrific book! And the idea of "what if the Underground Railroad really WAS a railroad?" tickled me. That last scene was sad, though...Sue Bursztynskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362273418897882971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-16751477461216959252016-11-13T21:35:20.991-06:002016-11-13T21:35:20.991-06:00Sounds so very heavy, but good reading as well. Sounds so very heavy, but good reading as well. Mysticahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941269615559681014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-63934981966506112962016-11-13T08:52:50.400-06:002016-11-13T08:52:50.400-06:00It's not an easy read, emotionally, but very m...It's not an easy read, emotionally, but very much worth it. Hope you get a chance to read it!Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-78469551279350420502016-11-13T08:40:23.878-06:002016-11-13T08:40:23.878-06:00I really need to get around to reading this!I really need to get around to reading this!Kailanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11136262232046813471noreply@blogger.com