57 pages 1 hour read

Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Water Dancer

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

A 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

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates follows Hiram Walker, a former enslaved person with the ability to manipulate time and space, who becomes an agent in the Underground, a covert organization dedicated to dismantling slavery in 19th-century America. Combining elements of neo-slave narrative and speculative fiction, the novel delves into Hiram's struggles with his past and his quest for liberation. Descriptions of slavery may be distressing.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates showcases a brilliant blend of magical realism and historical fiction. The novel's strength lies in its rich prose and deep exploration of themes like slavery and memory. However, some readers felt the pacing was uneven and the character development lacked depth at times. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and poignant narrative.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Water Dancer?

Readers who enjoy The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates are likely fans of historical fiction with a blend of magical realism. Comparable to Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad and Toni Morrison's Beloved, this book appeals to those interested in African American history, complex characters, and poetic prose.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Magical Realism