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47 Audiobook
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(3.02) - 660 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
47 is the first young adult novel to be written by bestselling author Walter Mosley. A master storyteller, Mosley deftly mixes speculative and historical fiction in this daring novel. Set in a plantation, 47 (a young slave boy) is growing up under the watchful eye of a brutal slave master. His life seems doomed, until he meets the mysterious Tall John who not only introduces him to an unimaginable magical science but teaches 47 the meaning of freedom.
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"47 is a plantation field slave, forbidden to have a name of his own -- he is simply assigned a number. He lives a life of downtrodden misery until the mysterious Tall John arrives at the plantation. He refuses to think of himself as a slave and claims that freedom comes from within. This is not a typical historic account of slavery. Tall John has a mysterious background and odd magical gadgets he carries in a carpet bag. This is a very unusual hybrid of history and science fiction. Read-alikes: No idea -- this book isn't even like other Walter Mosely books. It seems unique. It reminded me somewhat of a movie from the 80's called "The Brother from Another Planet" I'd recommend this book as a cross-over between science fiction and history. Perhaps someone who likes one but not the other could be persuaded to read this book. This is one of the most original and strange books I have ever read. It was also fun to read."
— Kewpie (4 out of 5 stars)
47 Listener Reviews
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Nedra Simms, 5/23/2023
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" Walter Mosley had me right away, but later, when the book becomes "otherworldly", I lost some interest. I like historical fiction. Science fiction? Not as much. Still, a great book! I think this is my first Mosley, and yet, he sounds so familiar! It's about slavery. Oh! And on the back of the book it says, "Recommended for ages 10 to 17." I disagree. The book talks about slaves serving as "studs" and other real details that would have the parents of my fifth graders calling! I would say it's better suited for ages 13 and up. "
— Jody, 2/9/2014 -
" This was an interesting (weird) mix of sci fi with historic fiction and I am not sure it did it very well. I am not sure of the resolution or for what it was supposed to accomplish. I enjoyed the narrative of life on a plantation as a black slave, but then the story went a bit strange. "
— Discovery, 2/4/2014 -
" I would have given this book a higher rating if it wasnt for the science fiction parts. I could not wrap my head around a being from outer space freeing the slaves "
— Lisa, 2/1/2014 -
" It's clear that Mosley is a great writer, and has much to say. This short book was marketed for teens, but is equally readable by adults. On the surface it can be read as surrealist fantasy set in the days of slavery, an adventure story using the best of magical realism. But the themes that one finds when one digs deeper are the truth about what makes one a "slave" or "master" beyond the altogether real whips and chains and skin color. Can you be chained at night and still be free? I thought this question was an important one, but was also made somewhat less powerful by giving the narrator and his friend Tall John super powers. If you have extra abilities, of course you are going to be able to say you are free and overthrow your oppressors. The point would have been better made without this, but then, it would have been an entirely different novel, so ... you can decide. It was a quick read, and I easily recommend it for teens and adults. It might be harder for the middle school age. "
— Jill, 1/26/2014 -
" I love this writer's mysteries for adults. This is trying hard to appeal to the "YA who wouldn't be caught dead reading historical fiction". An alien arrives to raise a slave boy's consciousness, but the escape is complicated by a zombie slave master out to take over the universe. Hm. It didn't work for me, but I think some of my students would be into it, and they would learn something about the horrors of plantation slavery. "
— Cara, 1/24/2014 -
" Awesome audio book. read by ossie davis. excellent. "
— Jose, 1/19/2014 -
" For young adults, history meets science fiction, a what if story that challenges our understanding of what is possible, and the purpose for our time of birth. "
— Vy, 1/6/2014 -
" I liked this book a lot, but I felt it ended too quickly. (I won't spoil much). Most of the book was slow paced, and enjoyable. Then in the end, 47 and family are suddenly in Canada, setting up their new life. I would have enjoyed to read their adventures to get to the free land "
— Outsider, 11/19/2013 -
" they use the "n" word a lot in this book. So if you aren't allowed to read that kind of stuff, wait to read this. "
— Kate, 12/26/2012 -
" There's a lot of good in this book, but like the other science fiction I've read by this author (Blue Light) the sci fi elements get really strange and don't really hold together. It feels like the first draft of a much better book. "
— Mikhaela, 10/26/2012 -
" This book was weird. I wasn't expecting the mix of slave/historical fiction and sci-fi. Very strange. "
— Rachel, 9/23/2012 -
" A bit confusing in the beginning, gets more understandable towards the end. Somewhat sad. "
— Rhiannon, 5/19/2012 -
" I really enjoyed this book. "
— Min, 3/17/2012 -
" a supernatural slave narrative. the idea was fabulous, the execution - not so much. "
— Suzette, 3/5/2012 -
" sci fi/fantasy/historical fiction - unusual, simple but effective treatment of early american slavery - aimed at middle school and young adult - well done emotional look at that horrid institution "
— Beth, 2/26/2012 -
" It starts out as historical fiction and then halfway through it switches to sci-fi/fantasy stuff. I liked the first half. "
— Leslie, 12/14/2011 -
" Deeply amazing. Starts as a horrific slave narrative, becomes science fiction (if that much-abused genre term can even apply to something so unique), is visionary all the way through. "
— Ero, 9/20/2011 -
" I am not quite sure how to describe this book. It's a little bit historical fiction, but also science fiction, too. Either way, it is a moving story. "
— Cathy, 6/11/2011 -
" Awesome audio book. read by ossie davis. excellent. "
— Jose, 4/10/2011 -
" Simply magnificent. Brilliant writing. Exceptional storytelling. This is perfect. "
— Shanae, 1/28/2011 -
" I'm not into detective novels on the whole, so I havent read a lot of Walter Mosley's work. However, I've enjoyed his forays into fantasy and science fiction. This was a quick, pleasureable read. "
— Laya, 1/10/2011 -
" I found the plot shift between an apparent slave narrative and science fiction very disconcerting,especially coming as it did midway in the book. "
— Barbara, 12/8/2010 -
" This is a YA novel by Walter Mosley and read by... Ossie Davis! Yes, please. "
— Philip, 12/8/2010 -
" I could not put this down! "
— Miss, 11/26/2010 -
" Although intended for the younger reader, the mix of slavery and science fiction is unique, thoughful and provoking. A quick and good read which will leave you thinking afterwards. "
— Barry, 9/25/2010 -
" I really enjoyed this book. "
— Maz, 6/3/2010
About Walter Mosley
Leon Nixon is a professional actor, playwright, and filmmaker. A Los Angeles native, he has performed in short films, web series, and on stage in dramatic and comedic roles. He is also an improviser and part of the group that appears in the Guinness Book of World Records for Longest Continuous Improv Show.
About Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis (1917-2005) was an American actor, writer, and director best known for his many screen roles and for his involvement in the civil rights movement. Among his film and television credits are The Cardinal, Do the Right Thing, Doctor Doolittle, and The L Word. He was a featured speaker at the funerals of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, and was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. In 1995, both he and his wife Ruby Dee received the National Medal of Arts—the highest honor given to an artist by the United States Government.