The Known World

The Known World is a 2003 historical novel by Edward P. Jones. Set in antebellum Virginia, it examines the issues regarding the ownership of black slaves by both white and black Americans.

The book was published to widespread acclaim from literary critics, with much praise directed at its story and Jones' prose.

Awards and nominations

The novel won a National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2004. In 2005 it won the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, one of the richest literary awards for a novel in the English language. It was a finalist for the 2003 National Book Award.

In 2009, website The Millions polled 48 critics, writers, and editors; the panel voted The Known World the second best novel since 2000.

References