The Underground Railroad - Colson Whitehead

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This won the Pulitzer prize and is on the Booker long list. It's got an endorsement by Barack Obama on the front. That's a lot to live up to.

I admit it's fiction so it shouldn't get on to this blog BUT I've read it and on to this blog it is getting.

If you're used to the ideas of slavery - maybe watched Roots - you might get something from this book. I did. I think it was the incidental detail, the intricacy of law and racist religious argument, the sheer depth of the involvement of the whole society, from Blacksmiths forging gynaecological and other torture weapons, to ministers, maids...so many people involved in keeping the whole thing going.

It's strong on plot and you wouldn't call it subtle.

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