The Known World by Edward P. Jones Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Known World
Book Review: Difficult to read but well worth it
Summary: 4 Stars
I, too, found this book difficult to read, but not because of the prose; it was difficult to read because the subject matter was so viscerally presented and articulately explored. To confront the idea of people being worth money and nothing more was almost too much to bear. I applaud Mr. Jones for his ability to dig into this subject and to display it in a way that forces us to face such a legacy.
I was afraid that there would not be any redemptive value in the book but found that redemption was offered in the smallest, most subtle ways. Stop reading now if you don't want a spoiler. The knowledge after the fact that Moses had not killed his wife and child, that the man who would lead to his maiming knew it, saw it on him was powerfully felt because of its subtlety. The way Jones presents the final assault on Moses, the cutting of his Achilles tendon was remarkable. Knowing that the man who casually enacted such violence would never do so again after being forced to bear the suffering he had created, almost through the barrel of his body, for miles and while literally being hugged by that suffering was simply sublime. Clearly, this book is well worth the pain it may cause and the sadness in may imprint.
Book Review: Excellent book
Summary: 5 Stars
I read "The Known World" several years ago, and I learned so much from it. It is among my most treasured books. I did not know freed slaves then took on slaves after they were freed. It was only a natural act of survival. We cannot have any idea of slavery unless we've been a slave.
"The Known World" is one of the most enlightening books I've ever read among the 12,000 I've read. I cannot give enough praise for this book and its author.
Book Review: Exceptional work of fiction.
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Known World" by Edward P. Jones is an exceptional piece of fiction. The author transport you to a time and place you have never been, but yet, you feel a connection or a bond of sorts with these characters in mid 19th century, Manchester Virginia.
There are many players in this story, most of them are multi-dimentional and richly developed. All showing the wide range of human emotions, while coming to terms with the contradiction and hypocracy of slavery and slave holdings. The economics of slavery, while very profitable, dehumanize all it's participants.
For those who enjoy fiction with a historical setting, "The Known World" by Edward Jones, is required reading.
Book Review: Fascinating Story, Stylistic Issues
Summary: 3 Stars
Jones tackled a subject that most people would be reticent to address: Blacks owning black slaves before the Civil War. The story of Henry Townsend and his family and property was compelling and heart-wrenching. However, anytime one of the minor characters was mentioned, Jones would remind you of his/her background. I found the repetition tiring. But I applaud the courage it took to write this book.Book Review: Five stars for writing, three stars for plot...
Summary: 4 Stars
The Known World by Edward P Jones is a beautifully written book with a host of rich characters. But while I give Jones five stars for writing, I'd rate him three stars for the plot.
The Known World takes place in Manchester County Virginia before the Civil War. Henry Townsend (31 years old) is a former slave who now owns 50 acres of land and 33 slaves of his own. Townsend passes away in the opening pages, and we see how those around him cope with his death. The Known World includes many subplots that are tied to Townsend's farm including slavery, the education of blacks, runaway slaves and the selling of free blacks into slavery. Jones goes into great detail on some of these subplots, even though they're not all directly related to Townsend. In this respect, the plot is complex and often disjointed. Just when things start moving along at a faster pace, the book suddenly ends.
But what The Known World lacks in plot, it more than makes up for with its engaging characters and its simplistic yet elegant writing. As for characters, there's the young and educated Caldonia, Townsend's wife. Augustus and Mildred Townsend (Townsend's parents) are former slaves and strict abolitionists. They are very disappointed that their son has chosen to own slaves. William Robbins is Townsend's former owner, and treats his former slave as his own son. Robbins loves his slave concubine and their children, yet treats his other slaves brutally. Sheriff John Skiffington usually tries to do the right thing for the Townsends, despite the many bigots in his department who consider them no different than slaves. Teacher Fern Elston is a free woman of color who could pass for white. She has educated most of the free blacks in Manchester County. And then there are the Townsend slaves including Moses, Priscilla, Elias, Celeste, and Alice. Jones wrote the dialog in a way that I could just imagine these characters speaking. When patroller Barnum Kinsey wants to give the sheriff bad news, he says "I wanted to tell you something and I have been working my mind so that the words tumble out in a straight line. You know how that can be John." Skiffington replies "I do Barnum. Just set them words one by one and they'll do fine. And we'll get to where we got to go." The Known World also sheds light on the dirty little secret that before the Civil War, there were a number of instances of blacks owning other blacks.
The Known World is Jones' first novel, and I'm sure it's an omen of good things to come.