ENLARGE“WHAT IF the underground railroad was a literal railroad? Uttered privately to himself as he finished his second book, John Henry Days, back in 2001, they became the core inspiration for his recently published novel, The Underground Railroad. I just didn’t feel ready over the 15 years I was approaching the novel.”ENLARGEThough one can empathize with Whitehead’s authorial trepidation at tackling the subject of slavery, on every page of The Underground Railroad is evidence of a mature writer in full control of his talent and ambition. In the airless dark between two underground rail stations, we have gone from one state to another in more ways than one. ‘I didn’t want to write the novel of Southern Black Misery.’ —Colson Whitehead“She discovered a rhythm, pumping her arms, throwing all of herself into movement.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 08, 2016 15:56 UTC