The Water Dancer, By: Ta-Nehisi Coates

 

I am currently reading Ta-Nehisi Coates’, The Water Dancer.  I should be more precise; I am listening to the novel The Water Dancer in its audio book form.

I thought that I had read some really good books up to this point in my 45 years of life; but upon listening to the words that Mr. Coates so eloquently puts to paper, I realized that I need to reevaluate every “good” book I’ve ever read. 

I want to compare Mr. Coates to Mr. James Baldwin, but I confess, I’ve only ever read Baldwin’s essays, and have not yet read his novels.  I imagine, however, that Baldwin is a similar weaver of story to Mr. Coates.  When I read, or listen to, Ta-Nehisi’s words, I hear the truths of Baldwin’s essays manifesting themselves into the lyrical poetry of a well told story.  Something that is profound, and true, even if the characters are false.

It's as if Mr. Coates finds the essence of truth, gets to the very heart of the fabric of human reality in this country, and is able to put it lyrically to paper.  There is no room for boredom or distraction in the reading of his words.  There is only rapt attention.  A rapt attention that stares at the abominable reality of the “negro condition” as Baldwin so eloquently put it.  I don’t quite know how Mr. Coates is able to enable the reader face the brutality of slavery without traumatizing us, but he does.  In fact, I usually avoid books about slavery at this time in my life, being more than a little acquainted with its history, and finding books of its kind far to upsetting for me now. I think the trauma compounds, as you learn and experience more about the horrific history of this world.  After a while, it’s just not entertaining.  It only makes me want to weep. Not so with this book.  Mr. Coates stares the hard truths right in the face and doesn’t shy away from them, but I find myself surrounded as if by a warm blanket in his words, protected from the worst of it, while still starting the truth down and accepting its gospel.

I might change my mind as the story continues to unfold, as I’m still very early on in the book, but my Mother-In-Law recommended the book to me a few years ago, and said it was one of the most beautiful books she’s ever read, so I don’t think that my mind will change at all.

If you choose to listen to the audio, it won’t disappoint. The narrator, a Mr. Joe Morton, does an excellent job.  He even has an excellent singing voice, as some call and response songs from the days of slavery are peppered throughout the book. Mr. Morton has a melodious deep voice that is both comforting and engaging. 

I am looking forward to finishing the rest of this book, and hope whoever is reading this partial unasked for book review, does so as well.

UPDATE: I finished the book and it was transformative. It's like reading the perfect poem, or listening to a beautiful song; but it's neither a poem, nor a song.  I don't know, I'm not eloquent enough to fully express myself.  But, I'm not a huge fan of poetry, and this book to me, is what meaningful poetry is supposed to be.

There are parts of the book that are hard to read, mostly a section about a quarter or a third into the book.  But it's a necessary part in the characters development, and is important to the story and in making sure the  reader truly understands how horrific slavery was in America. 

I love that this is a story of stories' about the human experience. It is woven expertly by Mr. Coates, whose world building and use of language is superb. An example of this is his transformation of the word enslaved, referring to them instead as "the tasked".  Similarly the wealthy whites are called "the quality". Lastly, to not ruin any plot, I love how the power of conduction in this book does not come easily, and comes with a physical price and recovery time.

I will be buying this book for my physical collection, and now count it as one of my favorite novels. Thus concludes this unasked for book review.