Colson Whitehead Books

Colson Whitehead, acclaimed author of The Underground Railroad, explores a dark chapter of American history through the harrowing tale of two boys at a reform school in 1960s Florida. Elwood Curtis, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., believes he deserves a better life. Raised by his loving grandmother, he is on the brink of attending a local black college when a single mistake lands him at The Nickel Academy, which purports to offer moral and intellectual training. However, the reality is a nightmare of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, where corrupt officials profit from the suffering of the boys. Elwood clings to Dr. King's message of love and resilience, but his friend Turner views the world differently, believing that survival requires adopting the very cruelty they face. This clash of ideals between Elwood's hope and Turner's pragmatism culminates in a choice with lasting consequences. Drawing from the true history of a Florida reform school that operated for over a century, this narrative is a poignant exploration of injustice and resilience, illuminating the ongoing struggles within the United States.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • "An American masterpiece" (NPR) that chronicles a young slave's adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South. One of The New York Times’s 10 Best Books of the 21st Century The basis for the acclaimed original Prime Video series directed by Barry Jenkins. Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. An outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is on the cusp of womanhood—where greater pain awaits. And so when Caesar, a slave who has recently arrived from Virginia, urges her to join him on the Underground Railroad, she seizes the opportunity and escapes with him. In Colson Whitehead's ingenious conception, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor: engineers and conductors operate a secret network of actual tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Cora embarks on a harrowing flight from one state to the next, encountering, like Gulliver, strange yet familiar iterations of her own world at each stop. As Whitehead brilliantly re-creates the terrors of the antebellum era, he weaves in the saga of our nation, from the brutal abduction of Africans to the unfulfilled promises of the present day. The Underground Railroad is both the gripping tale of one woman's will to escape the horrors of bondage—and a powerful meditation on the history we all share. Look for Colson Whitehead’s new novel, Crook Manifesto!

Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. When Caesar, a recent arrival from Virginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad, they decide to take a terrifying risk and escape. Though they manage to find a station and head north, they are being hunted. Their first stop is South Carolina, in a city that initially seems like a haven. But the city's placid surface masks an insidious scheme designed for its black denizens. And even worse: Ridgeway, the relentless slave catcher, is close on their heels. Forced to flee again, Cora embarks on a harrowing flight, state by state, seeking true freedom

Colson Whitehead continues his Harlem saga, capturing the gritty essence of 1970s New York. In 1971, as the city faces rampant crime and impending bankruptcy, furniture store owner Ray Carney attempts to maintain his business and stay out of trouble. His resolve falters when he seeks Jackson 5 tickets for his daughter, leading him back to his old police contact, Munson, who complicates Carney's desire for a quiet life with dangerous demands. By 1973, the counter-culture has reshaped society, but Carney’s volatile partner, Pepper, remains a constant. As assembling a reliable crew for criminal activities becomes more challenging, Pepper takes a side job providing security on a Blaxploitation film set in Harlem, navigating a bizarre world of celebrities and drug dealers, where his experience proves invaluable. In 1976, as Harlem faces destruction amidst the Bicentennial celebrations, Carney grapples with creating a July 4th ad while his wife, Elizabeth, supports a rising politician. When a fire injures one of his tenants, Carney enlists Pepper to uncover the culprit, forcing the duo to navigate a decaying city rife with corruption and violence.

Pure shimmering brilliance...One of the funniest books I've ever read' Gary Shteyngart

To his customers on 125th Street, Carney appears to be a respectable furniture salesman, building a decent life with his wife Elizabeth, who is expecting their second child. Despite her parents' disapproval of him and their cramped apartment near the subway, he feels at home. Few know of his criminal lineage, and his seemingly normal life is beginning to unravel. Financial struggles arise, leading him to accept stolen items from his cousin Freddie without questioning their origin. When Freddie becomes involved in a robbery crew targeting the Hotel Theresa, he enlists Ray as the fence. The heist fails, thrusting Ray into a dangerous world filled with corrupt cops, gangsters, and petty criminals. This internal conflict forces Ray to confront his dual identity as both a striving businessman and a criminal. As he navigates this treacherous path, he learns about the true power dynamics in Harlem. Can he evade danger, protect his cousin, and secure his share of the heist while maintaining his reputation as a reliable furniture source? The narrative unfolds in a vividly depicted 1960s New York City, blending elements of family saga, crime, and social commentary, ultimately serving as a love letter to Harlem and a captivating read from the acclaimed Colson Whitehead.

A brilliant, witty, and subtle novel, written in a most engaging style, with tremendous aptness of language and command of plot New York Review of Books

In a dazzlingly original work of nonfiction, award-winning novelist Colson Whitehead captures the exuberance, chaos, promise, and heartbreak of New York. This literary love song enchants anyone who has lived in or visited this iconic American city. Through a series of vignettes, meditations, and personal memories, Whitehead evokes the city’s inner and outer landscapes. He conveys the feelings of longtime residents and newcomers alike, portraying those who have conquered its challenges and those who struggle against its cruelties. His style mirrors New York’s multilayered essence, seamlessly shifting between third, first, and second person to weave individual voices into a jazzy composition that reflects the city’s experience. From a humorous take on arriving in New York for the first time to a lyrical meditation on how an unexpected rain shower transforms the city, Whitehead explores the ferocious battle of commuting and captures the plaintive notes of the lonely and dispossessed. He also highlights magical moments when the city seems to speak directly to you, inviting you to embrace its rhythms. This remarkable portrait of life in the big city is an unparalleled tribute to New York and a compelling introduction to one of today’s most exciting writers.

From the author of "The Intuitionist" comes a retelling of the legend of John Henry that sweeps across generations and cultures in a stunning, hilarious, and unsettling portrait of American society.

The marvellously inventive, genre-bending, noir-inflected debut novel from the author of The Underground Railroad.