From the New York Times bestselling author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction, Deacon King Kong, Five-Carat Soul, and Kill 'Em and Leave, a James Brown biography. In the days before the Civil War, a runaway slave named Liz Spocott breaks free from her captors and escapes into the labyrinthine swamps of Maryland’s eastern shore, setting loose a drama of violence and hope among slave catchers, plantation owners, watermen, runaway slaves, and free blacks. Liz is near death, wracked by disturbing visions of the future, and armed with “the Code,” a fiercely guarded cryptic means of communication for slaves on the run. Liz’s flight and her dreams of tomorrow will thrust all those near her toward a mysterious, redemptive fate. Filled with rich, true details—much of the story is drawn from historical events—and told in McBride’s signature lyrical style, Song Yet Sung is a story of tragic triumph, violent decisions, and unexpected kindness.
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"This was an amazing story and I loved the different twists and turns of the plot. I listened to it and was absolutely transfixed. I found myself not wanting to get out of the car when I reached by destination. I learned a wonderful new array of Chesapeake Bay curses, oathes, and colloquialisms. Leslie Uggams did a fantastic job of reading and kept me hanging on her every word."
— Belinda (4 out of 5 stars)
" I liked this book because the author is confident enough with his story line that "good and evil" are not a racial issue. It is a book about a time in history when one man sets out to right what he perceives to be a great wrong. It is his struggle to know who he is and how he will go about discovering the secrets of "self"and comes to terms with it. "
— Sherie, 2/11/2014" newest from James McBride...we'll see how it goes "
— L, 2/7/2014" I really enjoyed this book - it reminded me a bit of The Chaneysville Incident but not quite so complex. Well written. "
— Cam, 2/6/2014" I was impressed by this one. It is an interesting story of the underground railroad that is loosely based on the life of Harriet Tubman. "
— Nadine, 1/23/2014" This is our next bookclub selection. I haven't started reading it yet... "
— Cherita, 1/18/2014" Riveting book, close to a 4 star rating and I learned some new things about the era as well. Of course, it is not a fun read, but very interesting. "
— Tam, 1/17/2014" Really enjoyed this book. Everything was so visual. Pretty interesting ending also. "
— Garryvivianne, 12/31/2013" Read this one for my book club. It's an Underground Railway story that has a great connection to the future. This was an easy to read page-turner. It's a story of good overcoming evil. I highly recommend it! "
— Michael, 12/6/2013" Not only well written but a beautiful story of the Underground Railroad on Marylands eastern shore. All time favorite! "
— Moira, 10/17/2013" wonderful writing but I am not sure how I feel about all the references to the future. "
— Katie, 8/14/2013" This book caught my attention recently, after visiting the underground railroad museum.I'm glad I picked it up! I enjoyed the creativity with the Dreamer's character the most. "
— Mandy, 7/3/2013James McBride is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller and Oprah’s Book Club selection Deacon King Kong and the National Book Award–winning The Good Lord Bird. He is a recipient of a National Humanities Medal as well as an accomplished musician and a distinguished writer in residence at New York University.