Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2018, Washington Black is a story of friendship and betrayal, love and redemption
Washington Black
Written by Esi Edugyan
- Shortlisted
- The Man Booker Prize 2018
- Published by Serpent's Tail
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Esi Edugyan relates the astonishing adventures of Washington Black, whose escape from the brutal cane plantations of Barbados was only the beginning
In a Barbados sugar plantation, Washington Black, an 11-year-old field slave, is selected to be the personal servant of one of the new owners - the eccentric Christopher ‘Titch’ Wilde. Titch is a naturalist, explorer, scientist, inventor - and abolitionist. Titch’s idealistic plans are soon shattered and Washington finds himself in mortal danger. They escape the island together, but Titch disappears and Washington must make his way alone, following his own path to freedom.
Esi Edugyan
Esi Edugyan, Chair of the Booker Prize 2023 judges, is the internationally bestselling author of Washington Black, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2018, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the Carnegie Medal for Literary Excellence, among others – and won the Scotiabank Giller Prize
More about Esi Edugyan Esi Edugyan discusses Washington Black on National Prison Radio
Other nominated books by Esi Edugyan
Esi Edugyan explores loyalty, betrayal and the horror that, if you don’t tell your story, someone else might. And they just might tell it wrong
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