description: 'John Henry Days' is a novel of extraordinary scope and mythic power. Recognised as one of the novels of 2001, it establishes Colson Whitehead as one of the pre-eminent young American writers of our time. 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, J. Sutter, a freelance journalist and accomplished expense account abuser, is sent to West Virginia to cover the launch of a new postage stamp at the first 'John Henry Days' festival. John Henry Days is a riveting portrait of America. Through a patchwork of interweaving histories Colson Whitehead triumphantly reveals how a nation creates its present through the stories it tells of its past.
language: English
title: John Henry Days
titlecomplete: John Henry Days
characters: John Henry
genres: Americana, Historical Fiction, Historical, Literary Fiction, Novels, Literature, Race, African American, Fiction, Contemporary
ratings_count: 3037
awards: awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: Pulitzer Prize
category: Fiction, awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award, awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, awardedAt: 978336000000
name: Los Angeles Times Book Prize
category: Fiction, awardedAt: 978336000000
name: National Book Critics Circle Award
category: Fiction
publisher: Harpercollins Pb