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Book Review of The Known World

The Known World
The Known World
Author: Edward P. Jones
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
reviewed on


When I first began reading it, I wasn't sure if I could finish it. The subject matter itself is difficult, but I also struggled with nailing down who was who, as there are so many characters introduced in the very first chapters. I found myself having to go back and reread which is frustrating, but that combined with the author's way of going forward and back in each character's history, well, it was a little baffling at first. But once I got a good foothold, it goes along naturally and I found myself really enjoying the flashback/flashforward style. Again, difficult subject matter that we often push out of our minds because it's too horrible to comprehend, but important to learn just the same. And this particular story is very real and true to the brutality, but at the same time, very lovingly portrayed.