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John Henry Days
Reader Score
72%
72% of readers
recommend this book
Critic Reviews
Good
Based on 8 reviews on
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, Crook Manifesto!
Book Details
- Publisher: Anchor Books
- Publish Date: May 14th, 2002
- Pages: 400
- Language: English
- Edition: undefined - undefined
- Dimensions: 8.10in - 5.16in - 0.83in - 0.66lb
- EAN: 9780385498203
- Categories: • Historical - General• Literary• Action & Adventure
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About the Author
More books by Colson Whitehead
What people are saying
Poets & Writers, Inc. is the primary source of information, support, and guidance for creative writers.
A favorite cover #FromTheArchive. July/August 2001 featured an interview with Colson Whitehead on the occasion of his second novel, John Henry Days, which follows the classic tale of man replaced by machine from the Industrial Age to the Information Age. https://t.co/ZgKU0RedYg
Critics’ reviews
Praise for this book
"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
What people are saying
Poets & Writers, Inc. is the primary source of information, support, and guidance for creative writers.
A favorite cover #FromTheArchive. July/August 2001 featured an interview with Colson Whitehead on the occasion of his second novel, John Henry Days, which follows the classic tale of man replaced by machine from the Industrial Age to the Information Age. https://t.co/ZgKU0RedYg