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Thumper
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 10:47 pm: | 
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Hello All,
At the BEA, I was handed a book titled The Known World by a new author Edward Jones. I'm going to launch into it after I get done with The Marrow of Tradition. So far, I've only read the summary, and I'm hooked. It appears the novel is the story of a black family in pre-Civil War who owned slaves. Now, doesn't THAT sound interesting. We knew they existed, but many of us were willing to play the Boo Boo role. I hope the book lives up to its summary. |
Soul Sister
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 08:53 am: |
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Thumper,
I am glad to hear that you have that book - and I await your opinion. It is important to note that many African American "slave holders" on the east coast were purchasing family members -- and that has been documented by area historians and genealogists.
I have not read his earlier work Lost in the City but here in Washington, DC they gave him a full page in the Style section - so someone is feeling him.
Still, I await your review, peace
ps - how was the BEA - I would love to attend it one year -- even though I am on a book buying diet -- running outta space at home and work - my God -- smile |
Thumper
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2003 - 07:51 pm: |
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Hello Soul Sister,
The BEA was wonderful!! I, too, hope that you'll be able to attend. The convention should be in New York in 2006, and in DC in 2005.
I can't wait to read The Known World. I have two books in front of it, so maybe I'll be able to get to it by the weekend. *smile* |
Seymour
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2003 - 09:01 pm: |
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I just read an interesting article in the N.Y. Times about the author of this book. I'll surely be getting it.
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Thumper
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 08:06 am: |
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Hello All,
I just started The Known World. Now, keep in mind, I said I just started, so this assessment isn't for the whole book, but so far, it's AWESOME! I'm beginning ot love Jones's writing style.
Soul Sister: From what I gather so far, this is not a book of a black man who bought his realitves out of slavery. The slave owners are people who have and work their slaves. I'm anxious to see how this book turns out. |
Crystal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 12:10 pm: |
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I’m reading this now also. I’m almost half way through. I’m enjoying it but some of it in the early pages reads more like a good history book and you can see the research Jones put into it. I think the 2nd half is more narrative. I’m finding it interesting to ponder the reasons black folks would own slaves. Especially some being former slaves themselves. So far Fern Elston is my favorite character. Looking forward to more from Edward Jones! |
Crystal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 06:01 pm: |
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Well, I finished it. In tears - as what usually happens when I read slave stories. And Mr. Jones tells a hell of a story. Fully fleshed characters you could hold onto (loved Alice, hated Maude-although I can kinda, maybe understand why she was the way she was). Historical tidbits that make the story real. I liked the way he interspersed different time frames and other stories in the story line. And an ending that had me saying: d-a-m-n!
I recommend it.
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Crystal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 03:49 pm: |
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Here's an interview with Jones in bookbrowse:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/index.cfm?page=author&authorID=930&view=Interview |
Thumper
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 09:51 pm: |
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Hello All,
Crystal, I just finished The Known World. And in my opinion, it's the best book of the year!! Amazing, simply amazing novel! I was telling Linda about it. I could have never fathom ex-slaves owning or even wanting to own slaves!! The line that I couldn't get out of my head was when the white Canadian asked Fern why did she own slaves and she said something like, "we only did what the law and God allowed us to do." And Moses!! Wasn't he a pip!! The ending was heartbreaking. I was stunned by it.
I'm with Crystal. I highly, most highly recommend this extraordinary novel!! |
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