The Underground Railroad: A Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and Oprah's Book Club Winner

The Underground Railroad is a historical fiction novel by Colson Whitehead that was published in 2016. The novel follows Cora, a slave on a brutal Georgia plantation, as she escapes to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

The novel was a critical and commercial success, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the National Book Award for Fiction, and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. It was also selected for Oprah's Book Club.

The Underground Railroad (Pulitzer Prize Winner) (National Book Award Winner) (Oprah's Book Club): A Novel

by Colson Whitehead

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4256 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	300 pages

FREE

The Underground Railroad is a powerful and moving novel that sheds light on the horrors of slavery and the courage of those who fought for freedom. It is a must-read for anyone interested in American history or social justice.

Plot Summary

The Underground Railroad begins in 1855 on a Georgia plantation called Randall. Cora is a young slave who has been subjected to years of abuse and violence. One day, she meets Caesar, a fellow slave who tells her about the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that helps slaves escape to freedom.

Cora is hesitant to believe Caesar at first, but she eventually decides to trust him. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey to freedom. Along the way, they face many challenges, including slave catchers, bounty hunters, and racist mobs.

Despite the dangers, Cora and Caesar are determined to reach freedom. They travel through swamps, forests, and mountains, and they meet a variety of people who help them along the way. In the end, Cora and Caesar reach freedom, but their journey has changed them forever.

Characters

The Underground Railroad features a cast of complex and well-developed characters. Cora is the novel's protagonist, and she is a strong and determined young woman. She has endured years of abuse and violence, but she never gives up hope of freedom.

Caesar is another important character in the novel. He is a fellow slave who helps Cora escape to freedom. Caesar is a kind and compassionate man, and he is always willing to help others.

The novel also features a number of other memorable characters, including:

• Ridgeway: A slave catcher who is determined to capture Cora and Caesar
• Mabel: A free black woman who helps Cora and Caesar on their journey
• Homer: A white farmer who helps Cora and Caesar hide from Ridgeway

Themes

The Underground Railroad explores a number of important themes, including:

• Slavery: The novel sheds light on the horrors of slavery and the dehumanizing treatment of slaves.
• Freedom: The novel celebrates the courage and determination of those who fought for freedom, both during the Civil War and in the years that followed.
• Race: The novel explores the complex and often contradictory nature of race in America.
• History: The novel uses historical events and figures to illuminate the present day.

Critical Reception

The Underground Railroad was a critical and commercial success. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the National Book Award for Fiction, and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. It was also selected for Oprah's Book Club.

Critics praised the novel for its powerful storytelling, its complex characters, and its important themes. The novel has been compared to Toni Morrison's Beloved and Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.

The Underground Railroad is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, social justice, or simply great storytelling. The novel is a powerful and moving account of the horrors of slavery and the courage of those who fought for freedom.

The Underground Railroad (Pulitzer Prize Winner) (National Book Award Winner) (Oprah's Book Club): A Novel

by Colson Whitehead

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4256 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	300 pages

FREE