 First edition cover | |
| Author | Colson Whitehead |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical fiction, Novel |
| Publisher | Doubleday (HB) & Anchor Books (PB) |
Publication date | May 15, 2001 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 400 pp (hardback edition) |
| ISBN | 0-385-49819-5 |
| Preceded by | The Intuitionist |
| Followed by | The Colossus of New York |
John Henry Days is a 2001 novel by American author Colson Whitehead. This is his second full-length work.
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.
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]
| Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction | Finalist | [3] |
| National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction | Shortlist | ||
| 2002 | BCALA Literary Awards | Honor book | [4] |
| Pulitzer Prize for Fiction | Shortlist | [5] |
