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Description edit
One of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, The Known World is a daring and ambitious work by Pulitzer Prize winner Edward P. Jones. The Known World tells the story of Henry Townsend, a black farmer and former slave who falls under the tutelage of William Robbins, the most... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
One of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, The Known World is a daring and ambitious work by Pulitzer Prize winner Edward P. Jones. The Known World tells the story of Henry Townsend, a black farmer and former slave who falls under the tutelage of William Robbins, the most powerful man... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters/People edit
- Henry Townsend: Protagonist; A former slave, Henry develops his own plantation with slaves of his own.
- Augustus Townsend: Henry's father, who bought Henry's freedom and helped slaves to escape bondage.
- Mildred Townsend: WIfe of Augustus and mother of Henry Townsend.
- Moses: Henry's first slave and overseer of his plantation.
- William Robbins: Largest slave owner ion the county, Robbins is a strict, often cruel master, and serves as a mentor to Henry Townsend.
- John Skiffington: County Sheriff who struggles with his conviction against owning slaves.
- Winifred: Wife of Sheriff John Skiffington; niece of the former sheriff.
- Minerva: A slave given to John and Winifred Skiffington as a wedding gift by John's cousin, Counsel.
- Caldonia Townsend: Wife of Henry Townsend
- Elias: One of Henry's slaves, courts Celeste another Townsend slave.
- Celeste: One of Henry's slaves and love interest of Elias.
- Loretta: Caldonia's maid.
- Zeddie: Caldonia and Henry's cook.
- Alice: A crazy slave woman with some artistic talent.
- Stennis: Slave to Darcy, rogue slave trader.
- Calvin: Twin brother to Caldonia.
- Fern: Teacher of freed slaves.
- Oden: Cherokee patroller.
- Darcy: Slave trader.
- Maude: Mother of Caldonia and Calvin.
- Barnum Kinsey: A patroller whose job is to look for slaves.
- Dora: Add a description of this character.
- Rita
- Delphie
- Broussard
- Jebediah
- Philomena
- Bennett
- Priscilla: Moses' wife.
- Harvey
- Anderson
- Tessie
- Ramsey
- Colfax
- Cassandra
- Moffett
- Ellwood
- Patterson
- Morris
- Ralph
- Travis
- Clarence
- Clement
- Mama
- Mann
Setting & Locations edit
- Caldonia
- Stamford
- Virginia
- Richmond
- North Carolina
- Manchester County
- Georgia
- Philadelphia
- Washington
- New York
- Texas
- South Carolina
- France
- Canada
- Pennsylvania
- Hartford
- England
- Baltimore
- Alexandria
- Fredericksburg
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- Europe
- Connecticut
- Mississippi
- Bristol
- Tunck
- Florida
First Sentence edit
The evening his master died he worked again well after he ended the day for the other adults, his own wife among them, and sent them back with hunger and tiredness to their cabins.
Themes & Symbolism edit
Series & Lists edit
This is book 2004 of 83 in Pulitzer Prize Winners - Fiction. (authoritative list)
Preceded by Middlesex, and followed by Gilead.
This book is in New York Times Best American Fiction 1981-2006. (authoritative list)
This is book 2005 of 15 in International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award winners. (community list)
Preceded by This Blinding Absence of Light, and followed by The Master.
This is book 5 of 10 in TIME Magazine Best of the Decade. (community list)
Preceded by The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, and followed by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Edward P. Jones (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Amistad
Country: USA
Publication Date: August 14, 2003
ISBN: 0060557540
Page Count: 388
Publisher: Amistad
Country: USA
Publication Date: August 14, 2003
ISBN: 0060557540
Page Count: 388
Awards edit
- Pulitzer Prize (2004: Fiction)
- International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (2005, Winner)
- Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (2004)
- National Book Critics Circle Award (2003: Fiction, #1)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813.54
Subjects edit
- Books › Literature & Fiction › World Literature › United States › African American
- Books › Nonfiction › Social Sciences › Special Groups › African-American Studies
- Books › Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Historical
- Books › Literature & Fiction › Literary
- Books › Literature & Fiction › Contemporary
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