The Good Lord Bird: A Novel by James McBride

The Good Lord Bird is a 2013 novel by James McBride which has won the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. Told in the first person by an enslaved teenager, Onion, it follows him as he joins a group of abolitionists led by John Brown in the doomed Harpers Ferry raid in 1859.

The novel opens with Onion and his mother living in Virginia before they are both sold to the Free State of North Carolina. After his mother is sold, Onion is taken in by a man named Henry Shackleford, who mistakes Onion for a girl named Henrietta. Hen considers staying in his role as 'Hen' his only chance for freedom, as he comes to realize that as 'Onion', he will be a lifetime slave, whereas female slaves were more likely to be bought and sold for profit. Onion accompanies Shackleford as he travels with John Brown's band of abolitionists.

At the heart of the novel is the relationship between Onion and John Brown. Onion is somewhat of an idol for the abolitionists, as he is the only light-skinned member of the group, making him an important part of Brown's plan to sway people to the abolitionist cause. Brown himself sees Onion as a "true believer" in his cause and sometimes refers to him as his adopted son. Despite Brown's influence on Onion, the two men come to have diverging ideologies - Brown is an uncompromising abolitionist while Onion sees some value in the plight of Southern plantation owners.

The novel spans many years and recounts a series of adventures and misadventures, both comical and tragic, as Onion and the members of Brown's Army attempt to liberate slaves and spread their message of abolition. As the novel winds to a close, Onion finds growing evidence that Brown's dream will be unsuccessful and ultimately, the citizens of Harpers Ferry will have their own ideas about freedom.

The Good Lord Bird is a highly entertaining, often hilarious read and an important social commentary on the morality of slavery. McBride's writing is vivid and often moving and his characters are sympathetic and realistically drawn. Most importantly, the novel never shies away from the harsh realities of slavery and it provides a thoughtful exploration of the complexities of the times.

All in all, The Good Lord Bird is an incredible novel and a must-read for anyone interested in history, slavery, and racial tensions in America. With its engaging characters and witty dialogue, The Good Lord Bird is sure to captivate readers and leave them with a greater understanding of the complexities of slavery in America.