Book Discussion: “The Underground Railroad”

Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad,” one of the most acclaimed books of 2016, was recently named the National Book Award winner for Fiction. The book reimagines the Railroad as an actual labyrinth of tracks and tunnels running underground throughout the South, transporting escaped slaves North. The book has been described by readers as “brilliant,” “hallucinatory,” “chilling,” “a great adventure story,” and a “reanimation of American slave narratives.” Join a guided discussion that explores the art and impact of this powerful book.

Copies of “The Underground Railroad” are available via the Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington and Anoka county library systems. If you own a library card, you can reserve a copy through your library’s web page or in person. Hard copies of the book are available at local bookstores. Unfortunately, paperback copies are not yet available. An MPR “Talking Volumes” interview with Colson Whitehead is available at: www.mprnews.org/topic/talking-volumes. Please commit to reading the book if you plan to participate.

Leaders: Susan Hoffman is a retired archivist and librarian, and a member of First Universalist. Marjorie Herdes is an organization development consultant and longtime member of First Universalist.