I had this book on my list before it got all the hype from Oprah. It is a most excellent book. I dog-eared almost every page and underlined the most painful, yet beautiful, passages.

While this book is a work of fiction, Coates states that it is based on facts. You almost feel like Coates was there and that this life was his and he then was able to time travel to present day to write this story. He also brought to life Harriet Tubman, my most favorite person of history.

I took my time reading this book, taking breaks to let things sink in. I didn't want this book to end for though it tells of the terrorism that slavery is, it tells it in the most heart-breakingly beautiful. He shows the resiliency of my people and how through so much daily trauma, they managed to keep living.

This book made me thankful to my ancestors for I do not know how they endured the brutality of enslavement but I am glad that they did for if they had not, I would not be here.

Engrossing. Heart-breaking. Triumphant. The Water Dancer is all this and so much more.