The Known World and Beyond

I want to share what is probably the best novel that I have ever read. I haven't competed it yet but I am currently on page 147 of its 388 pages. It is called The Known World by Edward P. Jones and I highly recommend it. A 2004 Pulitzer Prize winner, The Known World tells about a subject not often written about; free Blacks who are themselves slave owners prior to the "war between the states." The novel follows the life of one such man, Henry Townsend. Jones' writing style can be difficult at times because he switches back and forth between past, present, and future quite frequently--often within the same sentence requiring me to re-read sentences sometimes. That being said, his writing is very reminiscent of Steinbeck (especially in East of Eden) in the sense that he has the ability to create rich characters and settings that are so real that you feel like you are there and that you really know these people. The line up of characters in this novel is vast and if you should choose to read it be sure that you purchase a copy that includes a dramatis personae because you will need it--OFTEN.

Now a bit about the beyond. I've discovered the Unknown World!! I am painting the trim in my living room today so I moved the sectional couch and, lo and behold, I discoverd a whole new world living beneath my couch!!!!! Who knew? I feel like Christopher Columbus or Vasco Da Gama!!! While it may take me the next ten years to unearth and catalogue everything I have found, here are just a few of my discoveries: 3 pencils, 4 pens, 4 used bandaids (what the heck?), a skittle (it was still quite flavorful! Just kidding, it was yellow and I hate yellow skittles), a pack of petrified gum, something resembling a mummified worm that made me scream but turned out to just be a leather shoe lace, what appears to be the largest booger I have ever seen (still have no clue what it is, DNA testing and an autopsy might be required), a dead cockroach (good to know the monthly extermination I pay for is working), 12 straight pins (apparently that cockroach was a seamstress), enough used Kleenex to make Mr. Whipple cry, and a grand total of twenty-six cents (boy that really made the excavation worth the trouble). Since there are no small children living in this house, I have no clue who is using the dark unknown beneath my couch as a trash receptacle but I assure you that I intend to thoroughly investigate and severely punish the wrong-doer!