Whitehead's The Underground Railroad is an unflinching look into the lives of slaves before the Civil War and a reimagining of the Railroad itself as an actual passage for trains with conductors ferrying its charges to the next stop. 
 The author did not shy away from or sugarcoat any of the details of the atrocities that these people suffered. And the reader was never given long to appreciate another escape or close call before tragedy strikes again. 
 The book is very well written and a fast paced read. While I didn't really connect with the main character, I still enjoyed the book, even though it was a difficult subject. I appreciated Whitehead's attempt to show different facets of the people that populate the story, including the slave catcher, the doctor/grave robber and those individuals helping bring slaves to some sort of freedom. 
 The conclusion of the book leaves the story open-ended, which leaves the reader with a modicum of hope. 3.5 stars and an interest to read more about the Underground Railroad and its courageous participants.