Author: Whitehead, Colson
Brand: Anchor
Color: Multicolor
Edition: Reprint
Features:
- Anchor Books
Number Of Pages: 385
Release Date: 14-05-2002
Details: Product Description From the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys Colson Whitehead’s triumphant novel is on one level a multifaceted retelling of the story of John Henry, the black steel-driver who died outracing a machine designed to replace him. On another level it’s the story of a disaffected, middle-aged black journalist on a mission to set a record for junketeering who attends the annual John Henry Days festival. It is also a high-velocity thrill ride through the tunnel where American legend gives way to American pop culture, replete with p. r. flacks, stamp collectors, blues men , and turn-of-the-century song pluggers. John Henry Days is an acrobatic, intellectually dazzling, and laugh-out-loud funny book that will be read and talked about for years to come. Look for Colson Whitehead’s new novel, Harlem Shuffle, coming this September! Review “A narrative tour de force that astonishes on almost every page.” — Time “Does what writing should do; it refreshes our sense of the world. . . . An ambitious, finely chiseled work.” —John Updike, The New Yorker “ John Henry Days is funny and wise and sumptuously written...compelling.” —Jonathan Franzen, The New York Times Book Review “[Whitehead] takes on a multitude of issues with a rich and probing imagination.His reputation is likely to soar.” —Ishmael Reed, The Washington Post Book World “A feast for famished readers.” — Newsweek From the Inside Flap Colson Whitehead?s eagerly awaited and triumphantly acclaimed new novel is on one level a multifaceted retelling of the story of John Henry, the black steel-driver who died outracing a machine designed to replace him. On another level it?s the story of a disaffected, middle-aged black journalist on a mission to set a record for junketeering who attends the annual John Henry Days festival. It is also a high-velocity thrill ride through the tunnel where American legend gives way to American pop culture, replete with p. r. flacks, stamp collectors, blues men , and turn-of-the-century song pluggers. John Henry Days is an acrobatic, intellectually dazzling, and laugh-out-loud funny book that will be read and talked about for years to come. From the Back Cover Colson Whitehead's eagerly awaited and triumphantly acclaimed new novel is on one level a multifaceted retelling of the story of John Henry, the black steel-driver who died outracing a machine designed to replace him. On another level it's the story of a disaffected, middle-aged black journalist on a mission to set a record for junketeering who attends the annual John Henry Days festival. It is also a high-velocity thrill ride through the tunnel where American legend gives way to American pop culture, replete with p. r. flacks, stamp collectors, blues men, and turn-of-the-century song pluggers. John Henry Days is an acrobatic, intellectually dazzling, and laugh-out-loud funny book that will be read and talked about for years to come. About the Author Colson Whitehead is the Pulitzer-Prize winning author of The Underground Railroad. His other works include The Noble Hustle, Zone One, Sag Harbor, The Intuitionist, John Henry Days, Apex Hides the Hurt, and one collection of essays, The Colossus of New York. A National Book Award winner and a recipient of MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships, he lives in New York City. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Prologue About 45 years ago I was in Morgan County, Kentucky. There was a bunch of darkeys came from Miss. to assist in driving a tunnel at the head of Big Caney Creek for the O&K railroad. There is where I first heard this song, as they would sing it to keep time with their hammers. HAVING SEEN YOUR advertisement in the Chicago Defender, I am answering your request for information, concerning the Old-Time Hero of the Big Bend Tunnel Days—or Mr. John Henry. I have succeeded in recalling and piecing together 13 verses, dedica
EAN: 9780385498203
Languages: English
Binding: Paperback
Item Condition: UsedLikeNew