Content levels
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
Ishmael Reed has created a sharp, wildly funny slave's-eye view of the Civil War. Three slaves infected with Dysaethesia Aethipica (a term coined in the nineteenth century for the disease that makes Negroes run away) escape from Virginia. Not satisfied with leaving slavery halfway, one of the trio has vowed to go the whole distance to Canada; his master, Arthur Swille, determined to recover his property, pursues, hot on Raven Quickskill's trail. With myth-bending ingenuity, Reed merges history, fantasy, political reality, and high comedy as he parodies the fugitive slave narrative: the slave-poet Quickskill flees to Canada on a nonstop jumbo jet; Abe Lincoln waltzes through slave quarters to the tune of "Hello Dolly"; the plantation mistress lies in bed watching the Beecher Hour on TV. Flight to Canada's preposterous episodes leap out from the pages of history to reveal a keen sense of America past and present.
Flight to Canada: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This satirical fantasy reimagines the Civil War and slavery through absurdist humor and anachronistic elements. Contains mature themes of slavery, violence, racism, and adult language within a comedic framework.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include slavery, racism, and violence (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Adult readers interested in literary fantasy and historical satire will appreciate the inventive blending of myth and American history.