The Water Dancer

by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Water Dancer cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1329
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-04
  • ISBN: 9780241982525
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2019-10-03
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

The Water Dancer is a powerful debut novel that weaves a historical narrative of slavery and resistance. Hiram Walker, born into bondage on a Virginia plantation, possesses a secret gift that he uncovers as he grows older. His journey begins with a daring escape, leading him into the heart of the underground war against slavery. The novel is praised for its transcendent storytelling and its resonance with contemporary issues of justice and freedom. This book has been hailed as a modern masterpiece, drawing comparisons to the works of Toni Morrison and James Baldwin. It combines historical fiction with elements of magical realism, creating a rich and immersive experience. The Water Dancer is not just a story of escape but a profound exploration of memory, identity, and the enduring human spirit.

Reviews
The White Review · 2025-10-04
intriguing 3.00

The book's position is flawed but seductive, blending magical realism with historical narrative. It sparks interesting dialogue but falls short of being transformative.

The discussion around The Water Dancer highlights its seductive yet flawed narrative. The reviewer points out that while the book is engaging and blends magical realism with historical fiction effectively, it doesn't quite achieve the transformative impact one might hope for. The dialogue on the book's themes is rich and thought-provoking, making it a compelling read despite its shortcomings. The reviewer appreciates the ambition and the way the story is told, even if the execution isn't perfect.

Quick quotes

    It was a really flawed position to take.

    It is not transformative, but it is very seductive.

    And it's interesting because there is a quotation on the back

The Guardian · 2020-01-31
powerful 4.00

The novel is ambitious and powerful, though some plot elements feel underdeveloped. The historical setting is vividly brought to life.

The Guardian's review of The Water Dancer praises its ambition and the vivid portrayal of pre-civil war Virginia. The reviewer acknowledges the novel's powerful themes and Coates's skill in bringing the historical setting to life. However, they note that some plot elements feel underdeveloped, which slightly detracts from the overall impact. The book is seen as a significant contribution to the genre, despite these minor flaws.

Quick quotes

    Ta-Nehisi Coates's eagerly awaited and ambitious debut novel

    set in pre-civil war Virginia, on a slave plantation called Lockless

    The Water Dancer is a slave's story

Vox · 2019-09-24
mixed 3.50

Coates is a great writer, but the novel falls short of being great. The prose and ideas are exquisite, but the execution is lacking.

Vox's review of The Water Dancer highlights Ta-Nehisi Coates's exceptional writing skills and the novel's exquisite prose and ideas. However, the reviewer feels that the novel as a whole does not live up to the high standards set by Coates's other works. They appreciate the depth of the ideas and the beauty of the language, but find that the execution of the story leaves something to be desired. Despite this, the book is still seen as a notable debut.

Quick quotes

    Ta-Nehisi Coates is a great writer.

    His new book The Water Dancer is not a great novel.

    Coates's debut novel has exquisite sentences and ideas, but the rest is

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