The Water Dancer
The Water Dancer
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Oprah Winfrey
I knew early on the book was going to cut me up. I ended up with my soul pierced. - Oprah Winfrey
+
1
All books

The Water Dancer

The Water Dancer

Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ta-Nehisi Coates
By
Ta-Nehisi Coates
4.1
111668
ratings on Goodreads

In the depths of bondage's cruel embrace, young Hiram Walker is thrust into a life of servitude on the Virginia plantations, a world marred by the brutal severance of his most sacred bonds when his mother is sold away, leaving him with a gaping void where memories of her once dwelled. Yet, amidst the shadows of his existence, Hiram discovers within himself a miraculous power, a gift that emerges in a moment of near death—a harbinger of hope and a beacon guiding him toward freedom. This power, both a blessing and a mystery, ignites a fierce determination in Hiram to reclaim his stolen heritage and forge a new path out of the darkness. From the opulent decay of the South’s treacherous plantations to the perilous heart of an underground resistance, Hiram's journey is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who seek to break the chains of oppression. Ta-Nehisi Coates masterfully weaves a tale that transcends mere narrative, offering a poignant exploration of the soul-deep longing for liberation and the unbreakable bonds of family. "The Water Dancer" is not just a story of survival—it is a lyrical odyssey that dances on the water's surface, diving deep into the essence of memory, love, and the relentless quest for freedom. Through Hiram’s eyes, we are invited to witness the unyielding power of the human spirit to rise, to fight, and to dance upon the waters of adversity, transforming pain into an unparalleled strength that paves the way for redemption and rebirth.

Read more
Released
2019
24 Sep
Length
416
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

I knew early on the book was going to cut me up. I ended up with my soul pierced. - Oprah Winfrey
The masters could not bring water to boil, harness to horse or strap their own drawers without us. We were better than them. We had to be. Sloth was literal death for us, while for them it was the whole ambition of their lives.
— Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Water Dancer

Similar recommendations

View all
Atlas Shrugged
23
people
person
The Alchemist
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
18
people
person
Siddhartha
Siddhartha
Hermann Hesse
16
people
person
Snow Crash
Snow Crash
Neal Stephenson
15
people
person
1984
1984
George Orwell
14
people
person
The Fountainhead
14
people
person
Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy
11
people
person
Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment
Fyodor Dostoevsky
10
people
person
Brave New World
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
10
people
person
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
10
people
person

This site is part of Amazon’s Associates Program. Purchasing books recommended by successful individuals through my links earns us a small commission, helping keep the site running, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our site!