47

An interesting spin on a "teen hero saves the world" novel. Flashbacks, personable narrative style, and a realistic depiction of the social blight of slavery draw the reader into the story of Slave #47. I am a avid reader, often reading 150+ books a year. I also teach literature as my career. I've seen hundreds of 'coming of age' stories and hundreds more about a subjected teen coming into secret powers. However, even my jaded reader's heart was pulling for 47 and Tall John, his alien mentor. Yup, you read that right - aliens . . . I did say it was an interesting spin.The book is a smooth read and offers interest to young readers while bringing to life some of the hardships of the slavery era. A warning is needed for those who are faint of heart. There is language many would call offensive, but those words are used in historical context and with a message of individual empowerment. I would love to find a way to incorporate this novel into a literature class or as an item on an American History supplemental reading list.

This may be a challenging book for tweens and teens to read but it is a powerful book that would do well in a junior high or even high school classroom. Part historical novel and part spiritual treatise, this novel also has some science fiction aspects to it as well. The overlap of these three types of literature is what may be challenging to the reader so some guidance would be helpful.The novel focuses on one plantation in the southern USA in 1832; think of the extremes of slavery in one one place. Here we meet slaves who have been stripped of everything, even names, and reduced to mere numbers yet among themselves they are maintaining a sense of humanity. Enter in an alien who is searching for a future hero among the enslaved population, a alien whose powers are part technology and part spiritual. Sound confusing? You have to read carefully and slowly, give yourself over to the life of 47 so you can understand the much greater stakes at risk for him, his loved ones, and the entire universe.

I have read all of the books. Stories about Easy Rawlings, Mouse, Socrates Fortlow, Lenoid McGill, Fearless Jones and a Parishioner. This one about 47 is one of my favorites.

Thank you Walter Mosley! Thank you for giving me the book that I have been waiting all my life to read. Since I was young I have been searching for a fantasy tale that mixed African-American history with an exciting out of this world adventure. I just wish that this book existed when I was young. I searched for a book just like this during my youth but never found it. I am so glad that young people today now have this book.This is a skillfully written imaginative story that will capture the minds of all that enjoy a good told tale from a different point of view. I truly hope that this is only the beginning of the story. I hope that Mr. Mosley will compose many sequels. Some stories need to be continued and this is definitely one.May "47" (High John the Conqueror) live a long life in the minds and hearts of our youth!

This was a fairly good book, very different from the books that I have read from the author. It gave some insight into slavery and the sci-fi added a nice little touch. The end definitely leaves you wanting a follow up book. I would have given it five stars had it not sped up at the end and felt rushed. Yes I would recommend this book it is a really good read.

Forty-seven represents a well executed blend of history and science fiction. Walter Mosley successfully places the struggle to save the universe with the historical context of slavery in the American South. Moreover, 47 will provide young readers with a common reluctant hero motif that they will surely enjoy. Readers may find the language in the book rather caustic. However, given the time period in which the story of Forty-seven and Tall John takes place the language is appropriate. I recommend 47 for readers interested in learning about slavery in southern states but dislike dense works of historical scholarship. In addition, in 47 lovers of history will find plenty of time period accurate information as well as an interesting intergalactic struggle for freedom.

WOW! This was really a different perspective on what I have read in the past on slavery. It was refreshing and I enjoyed the variance of changes in the plot. Kind of makes you go aah! Mr. Mosley is a wonderful writer and I love his books. I enjoyed the story.

I am not sure what to say about 47. It is a very good book, but as I read it, I kept expecting it to be better. I am a huge Walter Mosley fan, so maybe my expectations were too high. I wanted a young adult novel dealing with slavery to knock my socks off or leave me speechless. I think Mr. Mosley did a great job describing the propaganda/brainwashing that was so prevalent in the south and an even greater job of explaining how evil that kind of thinking was. I found the characters interesting but kind of one dimensional. The science fiction aspect was an original twist that may attract readers who normally avoid historical fiction. I will read the sequel, if there is one, to see if the second book is more powerful.

Very good book! I bought this book for my English class and it’s absolutely fantastic! Good quality too.

Um livro sensacional que nos leva sentir cada sentimento do personagem e refletir muito sobre a nossa história.

Bad

Fit for purpose

Excellent tale and even more special when read listening to Sun-Ra...