WASHINGTON BLACK
Washington Black tells the profoundly moving story of an eleven year old field slave in Barbados whose circumstances change when he is selected to be an assistant to his sadistic master's brother. As Wash is offered previously unimaginable opportunities by Christopher, who becomes a father figure to him, he struggles with conflict and guilt while everyone he has known remains enslaved. When the two ultimately flee the plantation, they embark on an odyssey that will push them to the far ends of the globe, testing their friendship and their individual perceptions of freedom.
For me, this book read like two individual stories. Without giving away too much, there is a definite before/after to the plot and I thought the "before" was superlative. There were characters that felt genuine and real, keenly observed moments that broke and then mended my heart, and a relationship that was so tender I think I'll remember it always as a fiction favorite. The "after" part of the plot did not work as well for me, maybe because I loved the beginning so much by comparison. But the second half explored important themes about the shades and subtleties of racism that are still so relevant today. The science - especially the marine biology - of the second half was fascinating as well. I almost made grilled octopus, but it's too cold outside! (That, and I got kinda attached to Wash's octopus.)
A pivotal part of Washington Black takes place in Morocco, and while there are tons of lovely Moroccan dishes I could have chosen, I happened to create this post on a snowy day when I was already planning to make The Stew, a culinary internet sensation with coconut, turmeric and chickpeas that's super delicious. And even though The Stew isn't Moroccan, I added some spices my mom brought back for me from the spice market at the souk in Marrakech. So I decided it counts as a Washington Black food - do you agree?
