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The Underground Railroad
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2017
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 437,098 ratings, 34,321 reviews)
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The Underground Railroad
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See moreFrom prize-winning, bestselling author Colson Whitehead, a magnificent, wrenching, thrilling tour de force chronicling a young slave's adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South
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Description
Praised by Barack Obama and selected as an Oprah Book Club Pick, The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead is a riveting novel that has garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including the National Book Award in 2016 and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2017.
The Underground Railroad is an extraordinary, inventive reimagining of history, focusing on Cora, a young slave on a Georgia plantation who becomes determined to escape her life of torment and oppression. Her journey to freedom begins when Caesar, a fellow slave from Virginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad. In Whitehead's portrayal, this network isn't just a metaphor but a tangible subterranean train system. Together, Cora and Caesar embark on a perilous journey north, seeking freedom from the clutches of their brutal past.
From her initial stop in South Carolina, where a seemingly idyllic haven hides sinister secrets, to the relentless pursuit by the vicious slave catcher Ridgeway, Cora's quest for liberty is fraught with danger. Each state she traverses presents a different, yet equally haunting, landscape reflective of the era's racial atrocities. Her movement through these spaces mirrors the harrowing experiences of countless others striving for freedom in pre-Civil War America.
Colson Whitehead's narrative stands out not only for its inventive premise but for its gripping examination of the stark realities of black life and survival in America. His prose deftly captures the brutal legacy of slavery, as well as the unfulfilled promises that continue to reverberate in modern society. Through Cora's relentless pursuit of freedom, The Underground Railroad encapsulates both a personal struggle and a broader, powerful commentary on history.
The novel has earned widespread praise:
The Underground Railroad is a luminous, furious, and wildly inventive work. – Observer
A dazzling novel that is hands down one of the best books of the year. – New York Review of Books
Whitehead is on a roll: the reviews have been sublime. – Guardian
Ethically engrossing and emotionally haunting, The Underground Railroad seamlessly interweaves the saga of America's brutal past and present. It is at once a story of an indomitable human spirit and a poignant, unflinching exploration of the legacy of slavery and its enduring impact.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Reviews highlight that The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead, is a profoundly moving and imaginative work. It intricately combines historical elements with a gripping narrative, earning praise for vivid characterisation and the depth of its storytelling. Critics describe it as brutal, vital, and a compelling read that deserves its acclaim, often drawing comparisons to classics and noted for its significant emotional impact.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780708898406
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 29 June 2017
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Fleet
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 28.0mm
Width: 126.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 320g
Pages: 400
About the Author
Colson Whitehead is a multi-award winning and bestselling author whose works include The Nickel Boys, The Underground Railroad, The Noble Hustle, Zone One, Sag Harbor, The Intuitionist, John Henry Days, Apex Hides the Hurt and a collection of essays, The Colossus of New York. He is one of only four novelists to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction twice and is a recipient of MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships. For The Underground Railroad, Whitehead won the National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Fiction, the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence and was longlisted for the Booker Prize. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for a second time for The Nickel Boys, which also won the George Orwell Prize for Political Fiction and The Kirkus Prize. The Underground Railroad has been adapted as an Amazon Prime TV series, produced and directed by the Academy Award winning director Barry Jenkins, and was broadcast in 2021. He lives with his family in New York City.
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