John Henry Days

John Henry Days is a 2001 novel by American author Colson Whitehead. This is his second full-length work.

John Henry Days
First edition cover
AuthorColson Whitehead
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreHistorical fiction, Novel
PublisherDoubleday (HB) & Anchor Books (PB)
Publication date
May 15, 2001
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages400 pp (hardback edition)
ISBN0-385-49819-5
Preceded byThe Intuitionist 
Followed byThe Colossus of New York 

Plot summary

Building the railways that made America, John Henry died with a hammer in his hand moments after competing against a steam drill in a battle of endurance. The story of his death made him a legend. Over a century later, freelance journalist J. Sutter is sent to West Virginia to cover the launch of a new postage stamp at the first John Henry Days festival.

Reception

Maya Jaggi, writing for The Guardian, praised John Henry Days, writing that it is "propelled by the quality of the writing and observation which, together with his serious intent, elevate it above frothier social satire."[1] Writing in The New York Times, novelist Jonathan Franzen likened the novel to Ulysses and Moby-Dick in its "encyclopedic aspirations", but added: "John Henry Days is funny and wise and sumptuously written, but it's only rarely a page turner."[2]

Honors
Year Award Result Ref.
2002 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction Shortlist [3]
2002 Black Caucus of the American Library Association Literary Award Honor book [4]
2002 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction Shortlist
2002 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction Finalist [5]

References
  1. Maya Jaggi (2001) "Railroad blues" John Henry Days review, The Guardian. Published 23 June, 2001. Archived from here on 28 November, 2017.
  2. Jonathan Franzen (2001) "Freeloading Man" John Henry Days review, The New York Times. Published 13 May, 2001. Archived from here on 28 November, 2017.
  3. "2002 Pulitzer Prizes" Pulitzer Prizes official website. Accessed 23 November 2016.
  4. List of past winners at the ALA Black Caucus site Archived 2006-04-26 at the Library of Congress Web Archives
  5. "2001 Los Angeles Times Book Prize - Fiction Winner and Nominees". Awards Archive. 2020-03-25. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
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