Audiobook Sample
Listen to the sample to experience the story.
Please wait while we verify your browser...
- Title: Water Dancer (Oprah’s Book Club): A Novel
- Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Narrator: Joe Morton
- Length: 0.594583333
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 24-Sep
- Publisher: Random House (Audio)
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fiction & Literature, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Black Literature, Historical
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
When I began listening to *The Water Dancer* by Ta-Nehisi Coates, narrated by the incomparable Joe Morton, I was immediately transported—not just into the narrative, but into the very essence of what storytelling can achieve. It reminded me of a time when I was driving alone through the Atacama Desert in Chile. The vast, surreal landscape outside my window mirrored the magical realism of García Márquez’s *One Hundred Years of Solitude,* which I was listening to at the time. Coates’ novel, while rooted in a far bleaker history, carries that same sense of wonder and transcendence, blending history with the fantastical in a way that feels both timeless and urgently present.
At its core, *The Water Dancer* is a story of memory, loss, and the enduring pursuit of freedom. Hiram Walker, born into the brutal system of slavery in Virginia, is not just a protagonist but a vessel for Coates’ exploration of family, heritage, and the resilience of the human spirit. When Hiram discovers his mysterious gift—an ability tied to water and memory—it becomes a lifeline in his quest to escape bondage and reunite with those he loves.
Listening to this audiobook, I couldn’t help but think of the evenings I spent in Oaxaca, gathered around the matriarch of the family I was staying with. She would tell stories with such precision and emotion that her pauses were as powerful as her words. Joe Morton channels that same mastery in his narration of *The Water Dancer*. His voice is rich, deliberate, and evocative, as if he’s not merely reading but *living* the story. You can almost hear the crackle of a campfire in the background as he draws you into Hiram’s world. Morton’s performance elevates Coates’ already lyrical prose, giving weight to every word and breathing life into every character.
The brilliance of Coates’ writing lies in its ability to weave the personal with the universal. The separation of families, the dehumanization of slavery, and the yearning for freedom are all presented in ways that feel both intimate and epic. As I listened, I was struck by the parallels between Hiram’s journey and the hidden histories I’ve uncovered in my travels. In Brazil, I once visited a quilombo, a community founded by escaped enslaved people. Like Hiram’s story, those histories were filled with pain but also profound resilience and ingenuity. Coates captures that balance beautifully, reminding us of the strength it takes to reclaim one’s humanity in the face of relentless oppression.
The themes of memory and storytelling are central to *The Water Dancer*, and they resonate deeply with me. As a travel writer, I’ve always believed that stories are how we connect, how we remember, and how we heal. Hiram’s ability to “conduct” through memory is a powerful metaphor for how we carry the past with us, not as a weight but as a guide. It’s a reminder that the act of remembering—especially in the face of systems designed to erase—is itself a form of resistance.
Morton’s narration enhances this theme, his voice a bridge between past and present. The pacing is impeccable, allowing the listener to fully absorb the gravity of Hiram’s experiences while savoring Coates’ exquisite prose. There’s a musicality to Morton’s delivery that feels almost like a spiritual, grounding the fantastical elements of the story in the raw, visceral realities of slavery and its aftermath.
Of course, no work is without its limitations. At times, the narrative’s slower pacing may challenge listeners who are accustomed to fast-moving plots. But I would argue that this deliberate tempo is essential to the novel’s impact. It allows the listener to sit with the weight of each moment, to reflect on the echoes of history that still reverberate today. If anything, the audiobook format enhances this, giving the listener the space to fully engage with the story’s depth.
For those who appreciated the rich historical tapestry of Colson Whitehead’s *The Underground Railroad* or the lyrical prose of Toni Morrison’s *Beloved*, *The Water Dancer* will feel like a natural extension of those works. Yet Coates brings his own unique voice and perspective, making this novel a standout in the canon of contemporary Black literature.
If you’re new to Coates’ work, this is a remarkable entry point. And if you’re a longtime admirer, you’ll find that *The Water Dancer* expands his repertoire in ways that are both surprising and deeply satisfying. I’d recommend this audiobook to anyone who values stories that challenge, transform, and uplift. It’s a listening experience that lingers long after the final chapter.
As I finished the audiobook, I found myself reflecting on the power of stories to bridge divides—between past and present, between individuals and communities, and even within ourselves. *The Water Dancer* is more than a novel; it’s a testament to the enduring strength of memory and the unyielding human desire for freedom.
So, if you’re ready to embark on a journey that’s as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant, I encourage you to dive into *The Water Dancer*. And if you listen closely, you might just hear the water calling, carrying with it a story that’s as timeless as the river itself.
Until our paths cross again in another story, Marcus Rivera
Marcus Rivera
