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The Good Lord Bird: A Novel
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The Good Lord Bird: A Novel
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The Good Lord Bird: A Novel
Audiobook14 hours

The Good Lord Bird: A Novel

Written by James McBride

Narrated by Michael Boatman

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

Henry Shackleford is a young slave living in the Kansas Territory in 1857, when the region is a battleground between anti- and pro-slavery forces. When John Brown, the legendary abolitionist, arrives in the area, an argument between Brown and Henry's master quickly turns violent. Henry is forced to leave town--with Brown, who believes he's a girl.

Over the ensuing months, Henry--whom Brown nicknames Little Onion--conceals his true identity as he struggles to stay alive. Eventually Little Onion finds himself with Brown at the historic raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859--one of the great catalysts for the Civil War.

An absorbing mixture of history and imagination, and told with McBride's meticulous eye for detail and character, The Good Lord Bird is both a rousing adventure and a moving exploration of identity and survival.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 20, 2013
ISBN9781101620991
Unavailable
The Good Lord Bird: A Novel
Author

James McBride

James McBride is a civil servant in the United Kingdom who has been deployed on operations in Afghanistan. This is his fi rst novel, the culmination of ten years of writing and research. He and his wife, Elaine, have three children and live in Barry, on the coast in South Wales.

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Rating: 4.346153846153846 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

26 ratings64 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    "Nobody asked the Negro what he thunk about the whole business, by the way, nor the Indian, even though most of the squabbling was about them on the outside, for at bottom the whole business was about land and money, something nobody who was squabbling seemed to ever get enough of."Ah, John Brown. I have been to Harper's Ferry. I have sung along to the old hymn "John Brown's Body Lies A'Mouldering In The Grave". But until this incredible book and its witty and wise narrator, John Brown: I never knew ye.This National Book Award winner is a classic that takes its place with such fictional witnesses to history as Jack Crabbe (Little Big Man), Mattie Ross (True Grit), and Octavian Nothing. Onion is an African American teenager whose father is killed during an early Kansas raid by the anti-slaver John Brown. Brown decides that Onion is to be a girl child, and he brings him/her along for luck during his God-assigned mission to eliminate slavery. Onion has quite a bit of growing to do, and how sincerely and hilariously s/he chronicles the giant personality who basically accomplished his goal by bringing on the Civil War. Along the way, Brown meets with Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman ("The General") and Onion learns to put aside his obsession with saving his own hide. The author's portrait of John Brown is indelible - such a mass of contradictions - obsessed with God and prayer and righteousness and completely unwilling to move from his anointed path, the very definition of stubbornness. And the novel just gleams with humor and wisdom. Highly recommended - my only criticism is leaving Onion at the end without knowing his future. Onion alone could carry a great sequel.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    When abolitionist John Brown passes through the Kansas Territory in 1856, he leaves with Henry Shackleford. Henry's master is killed by Brown, leaving the young boy no choice to but travel with Brown and his band of Free Staters. At first glance, Old Man Brown assumes Henry is a girl and Henry, eager to stay alive, quietly announces himself as Henrietta; Brown nicknames her Onion.Onion recounts for the reader her years living with Old Man Brown and the battles he and his men fought, ending with Harper's Ferry. Part history, part fiction, The Good Lord Bird sheds new light on the years leading up to the Civil War. Good intentions are examined against reality in Onion's innocent, but ever-watching eyes. I was eager to read The Good Lord Bird because I enjoyed McBride's The Color of Water (1995) and Miracle at St. Anna (2002). However, this novel didn't meet my expectations. McBride is probably the best writer to tell this story, but it was exhausting and often felt repetitive. Part of this is because of my own limited interest in Civil War history. However, there was little character development of either Old Man Brown or Onion throughout the 400+ pages. The narrative progressed but the people didn't. A true American history buff, through, will find this a captivating read.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    3.5
    I liked this book about the abolitionist John Brown's last years and the raid on Harper's Ferry. It's told through the eyes of a young black boy, nicknamed Onion, who Brown "liberates" and mistakes for a girl. Onion goes along with this case of mistaken identity and becomes a good luck charm and mascot to the 'old man'.
    I don't know if I understand why it was awarded the National Book Award in 2013, because it was extremely slow and draggy in spots, but does a reader ever know why certain books are given prizes and others are destined to languish in the sale bin?
    But it has encouraged me to revisit that moment in history and do further research, which probably warrants a prize!!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    McBride won the National for this in 2013. It is very much a vernacular novel in the way of Huck Finn, not only because it is set in nearly the same time period and location but because it allows speech to shape the story. Our main character is a ten year old black boy who is abducted but then joins John Brown and the story follows him until Harpers Ferry and his execution. While I didn't find the Good Lord Bird effective and wondered about whether having the boy as a girl throughout, nonetheless the book has mad speech at its core. Brown is a madman saint and the center of the book. Much is picareque, characters come and go without resolution but with the exception of Harriet Tubman, who McBride seems in awe of, McBride doesn't let the history control the story. Also with the exception of Brown no one comes across well. It's satire but with a point and the character's invisibility - he is not only black but a girl - is a vantage point that allows the narrator to debunk all pretenders. We have the inside track. Even though I knew what was going to happen my empathy was such that the book was suspenseful.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The rousing tale of a young slave boy who dons a dress in the initial pages and ultimately joins up with John Brown's abolitionist army prior the the Civil War. He becomes a favorite and good luck charm of Brown who affectionately nicknames him Onion. His life is fraught with a bevy of adventures and misadventures as one might imagine. A wonderful novel that was a finalist for the National Book Award. Would make great fodder for a movie or miniseries. Loved it!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I was searching for a book to read on my Kindle Fire and somehow came upon The Good Lord Bird by James McBride. When choosing a book, most of the time I read the first two or three lines to see it the book "grabs" me. This book only took the first two sentences "I was born a colored man and don't you forget it. But I lived as a colored woman for seventeen years."That was it! I was hooked! I remembered little of what we were taught in school about John Brown and Harper's Ferry. I'm sure it wasn't very detailed. Anyway, this is a fictional accounting of events leading up to Harper's Ferry, written with some humor and narrated by a boy child (Henry), who presents himself as a girl(Henrietta), travels with and is called "Little Onion" by abolitionist John Brown.This book entertained me, endeared the characters to me, taught me a little history and gave me an idea of what it would have been like back in the time of slavery. I was greatly pleased that it was not written to be "politically correct". I was amused at the turns of phrases used and pleased when I read some of those that I have heard during my lifetime, but had forgotten. I thoroughly enjoyed The Good Lord Bird.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This story is set some time before the American Civil War. This was a time when abolitionists roamed the country and freed slaves. We follow such an abolitionist called John Brown. He frees a small boy who disguises as a girl and stays with John Brown. John Brown is deeply religious and very dedicated to the idea of a free state. To this end he roams the country and tries to get funding and men to fight. He even rouses up colored people to fight for their freedom. The big plan is to raid an armory and arm the colored which makes up for a grand finale.The book is meant to be funny, a satire and does a good job of it. In the first half it just rambles on here and there but the last third makes up for it. The only disadvantage was that the events are so remote that it's not relatable. An average read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book is brilliant! Deals with a very difficult topic in a way that is often genuinely hilarious. I'm really glad it won the National Book Award, because I probably wouldn't have read it otherwise. Read it - you will be glad you did!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This story is a page turning epic that resonates with readers because of the amazing voice of the main character and narrator, "Little Onion." We follow a black boy, who dresses like a black girl to be saved some suffering as a slave in the deep south in the mid 19th century. "Little Onion" tells of the journey of the Abolitionist John Brown and his war on slavery. This novel is a must read!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I want to say something meaningful here, but I am at a loss. All I've got is "this was so good!" Onion is such a magnificent character and a superb narrator. The characters were so real and so complex, that I was able to view the doings in Harpers Ferry from a new perspective. Tragic, heroic, botched, bravely executed, all true. Rather than listing superlatives I will just say that this is a book you (whomever you might be) really ought to read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I listened to the audio edition of this novel and the marvelous narration by Samuel L. Jackson enhanced the experience significantly. The author's choice to create a character and set him at the center of John Brown's quest to free the slaves was a perfect way to bring the entire plotting of the raid on Harper's Ferry to life. "Onion", the protagonist and narrator, is a young boy masquerading as a girl. He is a memorable character whose antics bring a touch of humor to a very serious story. Just as Onion's understanding of the abolitionist movement matures during his time with John Brown, so does the reader gain insight into the complicated dynamics at play at this period just prior to the Civil War.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A brilliant blend of history, satire, and great storytelling.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Joy's review: Everyone in our book club enjoyed this book! I thought it was beautifully written with may passages, descriptions and phrases that made me laugh or took my breath away. Takes very serious subjects and shows the humor in order to make it relate-able to us today. I thought it was 50-75 pages too long, but then I almost always think that... Great historical fiction with lots of humor, satire, tragedy and beautiful writing.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    "The Good Lord Bird" is a coming of age adventure story in the spirit of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Lamb". The story follows the exploits of Henry, who at age 10 is "kidnapped" from slavery by John Brown, the storied abolitionist. Immediately mistaken for a girl by Brown, Henry eventually finds safety in assuming the role of Henrietta/Little Onion. The novel is full of twists and turns, with enough historical facts thrown in to keep a Civil War buff entertained. Like Huck and Biff, McBride's Little Onion is not an entirely sympathetic or even likable character; he is flawed and trying to do what is necessary to survive, following his own moral compass through some less-than-ideal situations. He has many faults, but I came to love him for them. I appreciated McBride's ability to combine character work, history, and humor in one novel that doesn't feel too heavy.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is an engrossing tale about a young slave boy who pretends to be a girl in order to survive. We meet Henry/Henrietta (aka Little Onion) a number of years prior to the Civil War. His fictional story intertwines with John Brown's life at that time -- leading up to Brown's very real raid on Harper's Ferry.Over the past year, I have read about a dozen books (both fiction & nonfiction) on the Civil.War. Some were older and others more recently published -- but all came highly recommended. I must say The Good Lord Bird is one of the best yet! James McBride has written a wonderfully engaging piece of believable well-researched fiction.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    To begin with, The Good Lord Bird has an interesting and (mostly - it does, after all, include the violence that follows John Brown) enjoyable story. You have a young slave kidnapped by an incredibly insane Brown and forced to pretend he's female because Brown fails to realize the kid is male. Re-christened Onion, he accompanies Brown and his men for several years until the whole thing at Harper's Ferry, so readers get a great overview of the events that led up to the raid as well as the raid itself. There's also some name-dropping interactions with such figures as Frederick Douglass (you will never again think of him in the same way) and Harriet Tubman. Add in some occasional humor, and you have a pretty good novel.But it's not really that simple. McBride has several messages running underneath the plot that make the book so much more awesome. Identity is one, especially given how Onion is viewed by almost everyone as a girl for years. But mostly, there's the idea of how abolitionists such as Brown didn't, perhaps couldn't, really understand those they were trying to help. Brown consistently believes that both enslaved and free blacks will just run over to help him end slavery, little realizing the social and psychological complexities that influence their actions and decisions. With this novel, McBride provides a much different view on anti-slavery efforts than the one we're usually taught that focuses on white abolitionists and a few famous black figures. It turns a pretty good historical novel into an utterly fantastic one.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    James McBride tells the story of James Brown in a somewhat daring way, the voice of a young boy captured and thought to be a girl as part of a raid in Kansas. McBrides' slant of Brown is as a fanatic, intense, almost senile leader of his pack of dirty, hungry bunch, which is what I remember as a young kid learning about him. The conversations were hard to read and Browns' ramblings caused me to skip over them as did the men he was leading. Maybe this was on purpose. The characters were fascinating and the combination of daring, cowardice, ingenuity, and need was well done. The story was mostly true, and when I'm done, as is true with most historical fiction, I'm then on a search to find out the real story. Mostly the book is very interesting and really shows the way it probably really was in that time. Thanks again librarything for letting me read this as an early reviewer.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The story of John Brown, told through the voice of Henry Shackleford, a young black boy who becomes involved with Brown. The book is a lively, engaging work of historical fiction, and contrasts nicely with "Cloudsplitter," the story of John Brown written by Russell Banks. This version is special because Henry's voice is authentic and unique. And McBride's writing is terrific. No wonder this won the National Book Award - well deserved.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is one of the best works of historical fiction I have ever read! Told through the eyes of Henry (Henrietta) Shackleford (Onion), this is the story of abolitionist John Brown, from the time he was terrorizing the frontier territories of Kansas, Missouri and Iowa on behalf of the Free Staters up to and including his infamous and ill-fated raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Henry is swept up into John Brown's band when he is ten years old in1856, and travels with Brown (who mistakenly thinks he is a girl) until the tragedy of Harper's Ferry in 1859. Every single character in this book, including John Brown and his sons, Frederick Douglass, assorted prostitutes, gunmen, slaves, free people of color, and most especially Henry, leap off the page as believable living, breathing people. And who knew that a book about terrorism, murder and revolution could be so laugh-out-loud funny! This is a most enjoyable must-read for anyone interested in a fictional yet believable account of this period in American history. Highly recommended!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    When abolitionist John Brown passes through the Kansas Territory in 1856, he leaves with Henry Shackleford. Henry's master is killed by Brown, leaving the young boy no choice to but travel with Brown and his band of Free Staters. At first glance, Old Man Brown assumes Henry is a girl and Henry, eager to stay alive, quietly announces himself as Henrietta; Brown nicknames her Onion.Onion recounts for the reader her years living with Old Man Brown and the battles he and his men fought, ending with Harper's Ferry. Part history, part fiction, The Good Lord Bird sheds new light on the years leading up to the Civil War. Good intentions are examined against reality in Onion's innocent, but ever-watching eyes. I was eager to read The Good Lord Bird because I enjoyed McBride's The Color of Water (1995) and Miracle at St. Anna (2002). However, this novel didn't meet my expectations. McBride is probably the best writer to tell this story, but it was exhausting and often felt repetitive. Part of this is because of my own limited interest in Civil War history. However, there was little character development of either Old Man Brown or Onion throughout the 400+ pages. The narrative progressed but the people didn't. A true American history buff, through, will find this a captivating read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    James McBride has a rare gift - the ability to craft a sentence with such skill that I find myself going back to relish the sentence multiple times. I was thrilled to find this skill apparent from the onset of this novel and continued to be amazed by his talent until the last page.Beyond crafting individual sentences that caught my attention, McBride went further in this novel to bring to life pre-civil war life in America. His story centers around Henry Shackelford, a young and small slave boy who is "freed" by abolitionist John Brown. At this time, Brown mistakes Henry for a girl and erroneously thinks his name is Henrietta. Soon after, Henry's nickname of "The Onion" is also conceived. McBride's novel is told from The Onion's point of view and we quickly learn that the life of a freed black girl doesn't differ in many ways from an enslaved black boy.McBride skillfully weaves a good amount of humor into what would otherwise be a grueling and dismal time in our country's history. He does it with care and compassion and we certainly aren't left wondering if he is trivializing the exploits of any of the characters in his book. His character development is also rarely equalled. McBride masterfully shows us the good and bad in all of his characters. Seemingly trusted characters can greatly mislead and those from whom you would expect to learn very little have the most to teach.Quickly engrossed by the novel, I did find some parts near the middle to drag. If his writing style was not so entertaining in itself, the slow pace at times would have hampered my enjoyment of the book more. Once finished with the book, I found myself researching and learning more about John Brown and the historical events and places McBride used in his story. Any novel that leaves me thirsty for more I would have to classify as a success.I would, and already have, highly recommend this book to anyone.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The story centers around Henry, nicknamed Little Onion, a slave boy who lives as a girl when a fight ensues and he leaves town with John Brown, the American abolitionist who believed armed insurrection was the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States. At times, the book portrays Brown as a hero and visionary, at other times as a madman who has a few loose screws.Set in the years immediately before the Civil War, the first person narrative with vivid descriptions of living conditions of the time, made the story feel authentic.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    In the late 1850s, abolitionist John Brown hit the state of Kansas like a tornado. Pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions were already at each other's throats by the time Brown arrived to avenge the sacking of Lawrence by a pro-slavery mob, but soon his name would strike fear and loathing into the hearts of the state's pro-slavers. His story does not easily lend itself to comedy, but much of The Good Lord Bird, James McBride's fictional account of Brown's attempt to start an armed slave rebellion in the South, is as funny as it is serious.Told through eyes of Henry Shackleford, a little slave boy whom Brown mistakes for a girl, the novel offers a factually accurate portrayal of Brown's deeds and end that is somewhat distorted by the innocence of its narrator. Because Henry (who pretends to be "Henrietta" for almost the entirety of the book) is telling the story, all the characters, when they speak, do so in the vernacular and tone of a little black boy who has lived his entire life within the confines of one tiny Kansas community. Admittedly, the conversations can be a little jarring at times but they are a constant reminder that everything is being filtered through the eyes of a child.James McBride is a master of characterization and the beauty of The Good Lord Bird comes from the distinct personalities he creates for Brown, several of his sons and one of his daughters (Brown fathered 22 children by two wives), Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, and so many of the fictional characters with whom they interact. McBride's approach, as is generally the case with the best historical fiction, is a vivid reminder that history is more than facts and dates. It is about real people who had the same hopes and dreams that motivate people today, and seldom was their story as black and white as it appears in history books.By story's end, a rather beautiful bond has developed between John Brown and his "little Onion," and their relationship is one that readers will long remember. The child grows close to a slow-witted son of Brown's, falls in love (still disguised as a girl child) with one of Brown's daughters, is awed by the persona of Harriet Tubman, and forms a rather disparaging opinion of Frederick Douglas whom he/she sees as more politician than activist. Almost lost in the story is the tragic end that Brown inflicts upon himself, members of his family, and others who believe as he does.Bottom Line: The Good Lord Bird is an excellent piece of historical fiction that revisits one of the key events and periods in American history. Readers will, I think, find it helpful to remind themselves of the key elements of John Brown's history beforehand as it adds a certain amount of tension to the book's reading.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I first heard about this book when it was chosen as the winner of the The Morning News Tournament of Books. It came down to a choice between this book and Life after Life by Kate Atkinson. Since I really liked Life after Life I thought I better read this book. I think the fact that most of the judges are American accounts for this book winning over Life after Life. Which is okay, since it is an American contest, but I just think readers outside of the US would have chosen differently.Onion Shackleford was raised in a small town in Kansas. He was a mulatto and small for his age. His father was a barber in Dutch Henry's tavern where Onion also worked. They were both slaves belonging to Dutch Henry. And then John Brown came to town. Kansas was divided between slave owners and Yankees (believers in emancipation) and John Brown was a leader of the Yankees. When he was noticed in the tavern he had to fight his way out and Onion's father got killed in the fray. Brown took Onion with him but believed he was a girl and dressed him in a dress and bonnet. For years Onion hid as a girl, sometimes with Brown and sometimes on his own. Onion was at the Harpers Ferry fight but managed to escape. His story was written down by a friend at a church in Wilmington Delaware and came to light after the church burnt down because it was hidden in a fireproof box.McBride spins a good yarn but it's not what I would call historical fiction. There seems to me to be lots of holes in the portrayal and Onion seems to get around pretty easily. I see from Google that there is going to be a movie of this book and I think it will do pretty well.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I truly enjoyed The Good Lord Bird. It was a fresh take on historical fiction and the story of John Brown and his famous raid on Harper's Ferry. Told from the perspective of a kidnapped slave who pretends to be a girl, the story was witty, gritty, adventurous, and compassionate. I appreciate how McBride presented a diverse cast of black characters who were real people trying their best to survive. The story was well paced and really pulled me in once the planning on Harper's Ferry began; very suspenseful! This is a must for anyone who wants to get a history lesson in a new way.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wow, what to say about this book? I waited a few weeks to write this review, hoping that I would come up with the words, but it seems that won't really be happening, so I'll just try to do my best and see what tumbles out.This was, without a doubt, one of the most amazing books I have ever read. I laughed, I cried, I learned, I loved. I was already a James McBride fan, having read The Color of Water many years ago and Miracle at St. Anna more recently, and was expecting another 4, 4.5-star piece of work. But what I read just blew me away. Even though I have next to nothing in common with any of the characters (merely the same desire for equality found in some of them), somehow they just really resonated with me and I absolutely loved them. What is there to even say about Onion? Cowardly and selfish, but just trying to stay alive in a cruel world, and bringing us a bit of hard eye-opening insight while doing so. Likewise, though The Captain is a rather comical eccentric character, he is also incredibly moving in his devotion to the cause and in his refusal to do anything but what he knows in his heart to be right.McBride's writing is just so emotive, so powerful, you can't help but become completely wrapped up in the scenarios he plays out before your eyes. It takes the best writing where, even when you know from the start how things are going to end (I mean, who doesn't know about John Brown? In fact, that's pretty much the only thing most of us do know about the man), while you read you keep hoping beyond hope that somehow things will wind up differently. That Brown will somehow go on, triumphantly, to see half the country pick up his war. And then, when history doesn't change, McBride still manages to warm your heart and make you see that it had to be this way, even if it hurts a bit.Simply amazing.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Historical fiction about the abolitionist John Brown, culminating in the events at Harper's Ferry. The story is told from the point of view of a 12 year old former slave, Henry, who John Brown mistakenly believes is a young girl, who he calls Onion. This was very entertaining, in spite of the serious subject matter, and very well-written. The "Good Lord Bird," a woodpecker(?) comes into the story in several places, but the final explanation of it brought me to tears. Thus, I will not attempt to describe or explain it myself. This is an enjoyable book, one of the best I've read all year, and I recommend it to everyone!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is a satirical historical novel about a young boy freed from slavery by abolitionist John Brown, who mistakes him for a girl. Nicknamed "Onion", Henry (now Henrietta)becomes part of Brown's inner circle and chronicles their adventures and mishaps leading up to the infamous raid on Harper's Ferry. They encounter such historical figures as Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, and Jeb Stuart. This is a hard book for me to review. The writing was excellent and the story was well-paced, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I tend to favor atmospheric historical fiction with characters I feel an attachment to. It is sexist to say so, but this felt more like a "man's book" to me with less emotional connection to characters and more frequent trading of insults and gun play among eccentric, flawed individuals. I suspect fans of McBride's previous work and those who enjoy "True Grit" style historical fiction will love this book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    When Old John Brown comes to Kansas Territory a young slave Henry nicknamed "Little Onion" unwililngly becomes part of his entourage. He pretends to be a girl to stay alive. The story is set in 1856 during the period when the "Yanks" battled the pro-slavers leading up to the Harper's Ferry raid in 1859. It wasn't as quick as a read as I thought it would be. However, there were many layers to this story about the fight for freedom and humanity. Mr. McBride was able to blend in some historical facts with myths and superstitions to make some of the story quite laughable.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This somewhat light hearted look at John Brown was very readable and interesting. James McBride captured the feel of the times, but at the same time there was an underlying tone that put me off. I went between loving this book and feeling irritated, but overall found it a good read.