The Water Dancer by Ta-Nahesi Coates

(Slowly making my way through and reflecting on books I read over the past year or so.)

I read The Water Dancer as part of a book club at work. It’s been a while since I read it. I remember the strong clarity of the writing in this book.

When I reflect on this book, I think of water, the flowing of water, being submerged in water, the sound of water, the terrifying strength of water. (Not just because of the book’s title.) Water’s running all through this book.

Like in Octavia Butler’s Kindred and its exploration of time travel, Coates’ book seems to explore what superpowers would mean in the Antebellum South. Like Dana in Kindred, Hiram Walker is trapped by his kin, his obligations, and the systems of slavery and oppression he was born into.

Definitely worth a read.

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