You'll want to discuss the language!!! You'll want to savor it for sure, but you'll want to consider why the author used this sort of wild west/Huckleberry Finn/caricature style to tell his tale. Fasten your seat belts, for you are in for a ride! Henry tells us the story and rips us along on his adventure much like he was ripped along by Old John Brown. Onion joins John Brown, or the Captain, on his quest to free all the slaves-just as God has ordained-and travels with him for the following years until the big event at Harpers Ferry, which will precipitate the Civil War. Old John Brown, who sees things the way he sees them, not only gives Henry a new name-Onion, he also gives him a new gender, turning him from Henry to Henrietta. Warp-speed plot summary: It's 1856 and Henry, a slave in Kansas Territory (where pro-slavers and anti-slavers are up against each other), meets Old John Brown, the legendary abolitionist. Is it worth reading? Yes! Is it worth discussing with your book group? Yes! So, that's my uber-critical take on this otherwise outstanding novel. The last 100 pick up speed again-and when I say speed, I mean page-turning into the wee hours of the night speed. I couldn't put the book down for the first 100 pages, but the next 200 were inconsistent-too much repetition and scenes dragged on a bit. He really can write! The only gripe I have with this book is that it's too long-it needed an editor. This author can write-his use of language is truly inspiring-and he can spin a tale that will keep you turning the pages-and he can tug at your heartstrings while tickling your funny bone. I have already requested Song Yet Sung from the library. Now, I have to thank those over at the National Book Award for introducing me to James McBride-wow, can he write! His novel, The Good Lord Birdwon the award this past year, and I just finished it. I don't want superfluous words or pages I want tight writing.

So, perhaps I am more critical than most. Being the founder of Literary Masters, a literary society of over 200 members (and growing rapidly-thank you, all of you!), I read A LOT.

The good lord bird book summary