Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Description

“Underground Railroad” is a novel by Colson Whitehead, published in 2016. The book is a work of historical fiction that reimagines the Underground Railroad as a real, physical underground train system used by escaped slaves to travel to freedom in the 19th century United States.

The story follows the journey of Cora, a young African American woman born into slavery on a Georgia plantation. After escaping from the brutal conditions of the Randall plantation, she embarks on a perilous journey to seek freedom in the North. The Underground Railroad, in this novel, is portrayed as a literal network of tunnels and trains, operated in secret by abolitionists, that helps slaves escape to different states.

Colson Whitehead’s novel uses this fantastical portrayal of the Underground Railroad to explore the harsh realities of slavery, racism, and the pursuit of freedom. The novel delves into the psychological and physical challenges that escaped slaves faced, as well as the complex and often dangerous relationships they formed along the way.

“Underground Railroad” has received widespread critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2017. The book has been praised for its powerful storytelling and its ability to illuminate the painful history of slavery in the United States. It also sparks important discussions about race, freedom, and the legacy of slavery in the country.