The Book of Harlan

WINNER 2017 NAACP AWARD FOR FICTION

"Simply miraculous... As her saga becomes ever more spellbinding, so does the reader's astonishment at the magic she creates. This is a story about the triumph of the human spirit over bigotry, intolerance and cruelty, and at the center of The Book of Harlan is the restorative force that is music." -Washington Post

From the bestselling author of Richard and Judy 2021 Book Club pick Sugar, is a riveting and masterful work of delicious fiction navigating the Blues and the Jazz Age, and the experience of Black people under Nazi occupation.

After his prominent minister grandfather dies, Harlan and his parents move from Macon, Georgia to Harlem where Harlan becomes a professional musician. When Harlan and his best friend, trumpeter Lizard Robbins, are invited to perform at a popular cabaret in the Parisian enclave of Montmartre, affectionately referred to as ""The Harlem of Paris"", Harlan jumps at the opportunity, convincing Lizard to join him.

But after the City of Light falls under Nazi occupation, Harlan and Lizard are thrown into Buchenwald, the notorious concentration camp in Weimar, Germany, irreparably changing the course of Harlan's life.

Based on exhaustive research and told in McFadden's mesmeric prose, The Book of Harlan skillfully blends the stories of McFadden's familial ancestors with those of real and imagined characters to create a layered and complex navigation of the true history of Black people caught under Nazi occupation and in concentration camps.

"McFadden packs a powerful punch with tight prose and short chapters that bear witness to key events in early twentieth century history...McFadden presents a remarkably crisp portrait of one average man's extraordinary bravery in the face of pure evil." - Booklist

"There is so much beauty in the words that Bernice L. McFadden wrote to deliver this story that I am in awe of her writing. This is one read that will stay with me for a very long time, and I will never tire of recommending it to all" - La Chouett Blog

“"Simply miraculous . . . This is a story about the triumph of the human spirit over bigotry, intolerance and cruelty, and at the center of The Book of Harlan is the restorative force that is music."”

McFadden packs a powerful punch with tight prose and short chapters that bear witness to key events in early twentieth century history...McFadden presents a remarkably crisp portrait of one average man's extraordinary bravery in the face of pure evil." Booklist
Simply miraculous... As her saga becomes ever more spellbinding, so does the reader's astonishment at the magic she creates. This is a story about the triumph of the human spirit over bigotry, intolerance and cruelty, and at the center of The Book of Harlan is the restorative force that is music. Washington Post
The Book of Harlan is an incredible read. Bernice McFadden knew very little of her paternal grandfather's life, but from a few scant facts she has created an amazing novel that speaks to lesser known aspects of the African-American experience and illuminates the human heart and spirit. Her spare prose is rich in details that convey deep emotions and draw the reader in. This fictional narrative of Harlan Elliot's life is firmly grounded amidst real people and places-prime historical fiction, and the best book I have read this year. Highly recommended. -- Susan McDuffie Historical Novel Society

There is so much beauty in the words that Bernice L. McFadden wrote to deliver this story that I am in awe of her writing. Far from being an easy read and by that I am referring to the painful events depicted here, the author focuses on the other souls that the history books have yet to mention without diluting the pain that the Jews suffered throughout this atrocious time.

The author is never judging throughout her tale, but is merely attempting to remind us that it did happen to Blacks, Gays and any other person that did not fit into the Nazi ideal.

This is one read that will stay with me for a very long time, and I will never tire of recommending it to all.

-- LaChouett Chouett Blog

Bernice L. McFadden is an African-American award-winning author of ten critically acclaimed novels including Praise Song for the Butterflies, The Book of Harlan, Sugar, The Warmest December, Gathering of Waters (a New York Times Editors' Choice and one of the 100 Notable Books of 2012), and Glorious.

Her latest novel, Praise Song for the Butterflies, was longlisted for the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction 2019. The Book of Harlan (2016) won the American National Book Award and an NAACP Image award, and has been optioned for a movie deal by MarkTonderai of Shona Films.

In the UK, McFadden has featured at Cheltenham Literary Festival, Hillingdon Literary Festival and has given talks and signings at bookshops including Waterstones. She has featured in British media including BBC R4 Front Row, RTE Radio, The Observer, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio

Scotland and on multiple blogs.

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