The Journey of August King

by John Ehle

Book Overview

A lyrical, historical novel on which the Miramax film starring Jason Patric is based. When August King comes across 15-year-old runaway slave Analees Williamsburg, he is faced with a powerful moral... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1941209831
• ISBN13: 9781941209837
• Release Date: July 2018
• Publisher: Press 53 Carolina Classics Editions
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A beautiful, dreamlike quality pervades this book

Ehle's descriptions are both surreal and earthy. The characters are complex entities, they are not perfect. August is a hero almost by accident, and an ambigious one at that. The struggles August experiences with his attitudes vis-a-vis race forms a major catalyst in the story. For individuals interested in historical fiction about Appalachia this is a must read. On a historical sidenote, I've always liked Ehle's inclusion of Germans in his stories. It is a refreshing multiethnic approach from the general Scotch-Irish dominated stereotype of Appalachia history.

It is one of the best novels I have ever read.

The Journey of August King is a novel rich in description of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. This book very well illustrates slavery and how it was dealt with as well as the kindness of the mountain people of that time. Being from North Carolina myself, I am fully aware of how accurate the description is. The scenery makes you feel as if you are actually there with August King. Also, I particularly enjoyed the portrayl of August King. He is showed as a very kind man, not unlike his neighbors, just having a bit more sympathy. He is not unhuman, either. He is portrayed as a man who has known hurt, loss, and love, though he does not recognize it. As noted, his journey is a spiritual one to finally come to terms with the death of his wife. I like the way this is done, using tears even, to help us understand how he is accomplishing this.

Lyrical, fascinating.

I loved this book. I've read it many times. Each time I appreciate the beauty of the prose, the skillful character development, and the suspense of the plot. I like the contrast between the main characters' thought patterns and conversation: August's thoughts and words free-flow; Annalees' are more grounded and practical. I like the subtle differences in their speech patterns: it's like listening to a conversation. I also like the way Mr. Ehle has peppered his character's words with idioms and phrases from the time in which the book takes place. The scenes unfold with drama and picture-perfect description

Great if you've been there (North Carolina Mountains)

John Ehle makes you remember the NC mountains like no one else can. The roads and trails seem familiar because some of them still exist and perhaps you have been there. The people haven't changed all that much even though Ehle covers the time near the civil war. Yes, the story is good and keeps you interested. Yes, his writing flows well. But Ehle has always been somewhat of a regional writer because he understands the locals. I would love to go back to the black mountains, walk the trails and talk to the people there. Reading John Ehle is a close second.