"He has to construct his own idea of home in the world": Esi Edugyan discusses her novel Washington Black with Mark Tewksbury, Olympic champion swimmer, who is defending her novel on Canada Reads 2022. The 1830s-set novel follows the life of Wash, who spends the first 11 years of his life as a field slave in Barbados. Unexpected events send Wash on a lifelong adventure around the world - a journey that has Wash grappling with agency, self-actualization and love for the first time. Tewksbury interviews Edugyan about her novel before the Canada Reads 2022 debates, which take place March 28-31. Important note to teachers: This novel addresses mature themes, including slavery, violence, suicide and racial slurs. Please take the time to review any written or video content before sharing it in class, so that you can prepare your students as needed.

From the Curio.ca streaming audio-visual collection.