56 pages • 1 hour read
Esi EdugyanWashington Black
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read 
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Summary
Part 1, Chapters 1-3
Part 1, Chapters 4-6
Part 1, Chapters 7-9
Part 1, Chapters 10-12
Part 2, Chapters 1-4
Part 2, Chapters 5-7
Part 3, Chapters, 1-3
Part 3, Chapters 4-6
Part 3, Chapters 7-9
Part 3, Chapters 10-12
Part 4, Chapters 1-3
Part 4, Chapters 4-6
Part 4, Chapters 7-9
Part 4, Chapters 10-13
Part 4, Chapters 14-17
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
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Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan chronicles the journey of Washington "Wash" Black, an enslaved boy from a Barbados plantation, who becomes the assistant to eccentric scientist Titch. As they embark on adventures involving science and escape efforts, Wash navigates the intricacies of race, freedom, identity, and relationships, while ultimately seeking to find his place in a challenging world. The book contains scenes involving slavery and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Esi Edugyan's Washington Black has garnered praise for its vivid storytelling, complex characters, and rich historical context, though some critics note a meandering plot and uneven pacing. The novel's exploration of themes like freedom and identity is compelling, with Edugyan's prose celebrated for its elegance and depth, despite occasional narrative digressions.
Who Should Read Washington Black?
Readers who enjoyed The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead or Life of Pi by Yann Martel will appreciate Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. This novel appeals to those interested in historical fiction, adventure, and themes of freedom and identity, offering a complex, character-driven narrative with rich, poetic prose.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
830L