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The Known World
by Edward P. Jones
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About This Book
ISBN13: 9780060557553 |
Awards
2004 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
2003 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction
Finalist for the 2003 National Book Award for Fiction
2003 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction
Finalist for the 2003 National Book Award for Fiction
Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
In one of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, Edward P. Jones, two-time National Book Award finalist, tells the story of Henry Townsend, a black farmer and former slave who falls under the tutelage of William Robbins, the most powerful man in Manchester County, Virginia. Making certain he never circumvents the law, Townsend runs his affairs with unusual discipline. But when death takes him unexpectedly, his widow, Caldonia, can't uphold the estate's order and chaos ensues. In a daring and ambitious novel, Jones has woven a footnote of history into an epic that takes an unflinching look at slavery in all of its moral complexities.
This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.
Review:
"This extraordinary novel [is] the best new work of American fiction to cross my desk in years." Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World
Review:
"[S]tunning....With hard-won wisdom and hugely effective understatement, Mr. Jones explores the unsettling, contradiction-prone world of a Virginia slaveholder who happens to be black." Janet Maslin, The New York Times
Review:
"[K]aleidoscopic....Jones has written a book of tremendous moral intricacy: no relationship here is left unaltered by the bonds of ownership, and liberty eludes most of Manchester County's residents, not just its slaves." The New Yorker
Review:
"[An] impressively researched, challenging novel....[A] harrowing tale thatscarcely ever raises its voice....It should be a major prize contender, and it won't be forgotten." Kirkus Reviews
Review:
"Jones's prose can be rather static and his phrasings ponderous, but his narrative achieves crushing momentum through sheer accumulation of detail, unusual historical insight and generous character writing." Publishers Weekly
Review:
"[A]mbitious....A fascinating look at a painful theme, this book is an ideal choice for book clubs. Highly recommended." Library Journal
About the Author
Edward P. Jones, the New York Times bestselling author, has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize, for fiction, the National Book Critics Circle award, the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and the Lannan Literary Award for The Known World; he also received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2004. His first collection of stories, Lost in the City won the PEN/Hemingway Award and was short listed for the National Book Award. His second collection, All Aunt Hagar’s Children, was a finalist for the Pen/Faulkner Award. He has been an instructor of fiction writing at a range of universities, including Princeton. He lives in Washington, D.C.
What Our Readers Are Saying
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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
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liz-h, April 8, 2007 (view all comments by liz-h)
I have to say that this book left me a bit befuddled. Let me explain that I chose this book for my book group and I was the only one of the six of us to finish the book. This is not typical for my group. The remaining 5 women found the jumping back and forth in time and the numerous characters too difficult to manage. I did finish the book and found the ending to be worth the effort but just barely. The book has many valuable topics and points. However, the characters come and go in different times so quickly that I never felt I had a solid picture in my mind of any of them. For that reason, I was a bit disappointed. I felt the general topic and the setting should have held my attention more completely. Instead, I was forcing myself to continue because I wanted to know why the book had been so well received. I'm aware that I may have missed something here, but I'm a well read, intelligent person and this book just didn't fully live up to my expectations.
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christijensen, October 19, 2006 (view all comments by christijensen)
I can't tell you how incredibly real this book is. It is as if all of these exact events actually took place. This follows the characters over so many years that you are really seeing their entire life and choices played out. Deserved the Pulitzer. Much loved and appreciated - Thank you Mr. Jones.
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Reader222, August 26, 2006 (view all comments by Reader222)
Mr. Jones provides such interesting details that it makes visualizing this enlightening experience easy and entertaining. I found it difficult to believe this is a fictional telling of life during the 1800s. It reads like important non-fiction with conversation appropriate to its interesting characters. After the first few pages, I felt as though I was there in the rain and mud with the characters and during their experiences and relationships. The Dramatis Personae at the back of the book was especially appreciated and useful.
View all 3 comments
Product Details
- ISBN:
- 9780060557553
- Author:
- Publisher:
- Amistad Press
- Author:
- Author:
- Subject:
- General
- Subject:
- Literary
- Subject:
- Historical - General
- Subject:
- Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General
- Subject:
- General Fiction
- Copyright:
- 2004
- Edition Number:
- Reprint ed.
- Edition Description:
- Amistad Pbk
- Publication Date:
- May 25, 2004
- Binding:
- Paperback
- Grade Level:
- General/trade
- Language:
- English
- Pages:
- 432
- Dimensions:
- 8.06x5.32x1.00 in. .73 lbs.
