A Known World

I just finished reading A Known World by Edward P. Jones. I really enjoyed the book, although have heard mixed reviews from others. Jones writes a complex story about the Southern States and the struggles ensued by slaves and slaveowners. Edwards jumps between characters and weaves through time; a method that eventually ties the complex lives of the characters together. This is difficult to get used to, and was what turned other readers away. I felt however, that the way the story was written proved the talent of this author. He makes the story believable, and reinforces the complexities faced by people in this era. The character development is excellent, and I found myself feeling so strongly for the characters I had to put the book down despite my desire to read what happened next. I recommend this book to people interested in historical fiction, and those who are patient enough to trust that you will learn and remember all of the characters if you keep on reading!!