Esi Edugyan relates the astonishing adventures of Washington Black, whose escape from the brutal cane plantations of Barbados was only the beginning.

In a Barbados sugar plantation, Washington Black, an 11-year-old field slave, is selected to be the personal servant of one of the new owners - the eccentric Christopher ‘Titch’ Wilde. Titch is a naturalist, explorer, scientist, inventor - and abolitionist. Titch’s idealistic plans are soon shattered and Washington finds himself in mortal danger. They escape the island together, but Titch disappears and Washington must make his way alone, following his own path to freedom.

Shortlisted
The Man Booker Prize 2018
Published by
Serpent's Tail
Publication date

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Esi Edugyan

Esi Edugyan

About the Author

Esi Edugyan, Chair of 2023 Booker Prize judges, is the internationally bestselling author of Washington Black, which was shortlisted for the 2018 Booker Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the Carnegie Medal for Literary Excellence, among others – and won the Scotiabank Giller Prize.
More about Esi Edugyan

Esi Edugyan discusses Washington Black on National Prison Radio

Other nominated books by Esi Edugyan

Half-Blood Blues