Good Lord Bird, The: A Novel - Hardcover

James McBride

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1594486344 ISBN 13: 9781594486340

Publisher: Riverhead, 2013

Synopsis

Winner of the National Book Award 2013

Henry Shackleford is a young slave living in the Kansas Territory in 1857; the region is a battleground between anti- and pro-slavery forces. When John Brown, the legendary abolitionist, arrives in the area, an argument between Brown and Henry s master quickly turns violent. Henry is forced to leave town with Brown, who believes he is a girl.

Over the ensuing months, Henry, whom Brown nicknames Little Onion, conceals his true identity as he struggles to stay alive. Eventually Little Onion finds himself with Brown at the historic raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, which was one of the major catalysts for the Civil War.

An absorbing mixture of history and imagination, and told with McBride s meticulous eye for detail and character, THE GOOD LORD BIRD is both a rousing adventure and a moving exploration of identity and survival.

About this title

Review:

'A zippy, irreverent novel set in the turbulent years just before the American Civil War.' - Chosen as one of the best books of the year in The Financial Times

'A wise, witty take on the frenetic years leading up to the US Civil War... although we know the outcome for Brown and his army, McBride compels us to follow it through to the bitter end.' 5 star review in The Daily Telegraph

'One of the significant novels of 2013.' - Historical Novel Society

'An irreverent, sharp eyed novel.' --The New York Times

'Both a rousing adventure and a moving exploration of identity and survival.' --Female First

'Both a rousing adventure and a moving exploration of identity and survival.' --Female First

'McBride's exploration of the unforgettable historical characters who fought the war on slavery is both tragic and moving.' --The Lady

'The vignettes mix the gritty (adult themed), rollicking and brutal with the charming and, sometimes, funny giving the air of a cleverly wry Coen Brothers film... it's a fascinating look at an era we don't hear much of here in the UK so definitely worth a read.' --The Book Bug

'A wise and witty take on the frenetic years leading up to the US Civil War... although we know the outcome for Brown and his army, McBride compels us to follow it through to the bitter end.' --Daily Telegraph

'A rattling good read.... McBride is no other word fits cool.... Let's hope McBride's book makes the newly emancipated ( Free, free at last! ) 2014 Anglo-American Man Booker list. I'd love to see that pork-pie hat among the starched shirts at the Guildhall.' --The Times

Book Description:

'Henry Shackleford is a young slave living in the Kansas Territory in 1857; the region is a battleground between anti- and pro-slavery forces. When John Brown, the legendary abolitionist, arrives in the area, an argument between Brown and Henry’s master quickly turns violent. Henry is forced to leave town with Brown, who believes he’s a girl.

Over the ensuing months, Henry, whom Brown nicknames Little Onion, conceals his true identity as he struggles to stay alive. Eventually Little Onion finds himself with Brown at the historic raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, which was one of the major catalysts for the Civil War.

An absorbing mixture of history and imagination, and told with McBride’s meticulous eye for detail and character, THE GOOD LORD BIRD is both a rousing adventure and a moving exploration of identity and survival.'

About this edition

• Publisher: Riverhead
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1594486344
• ISBN 13: 9781594486340
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 432