The Journey of August King [Paperback]

John Ehle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 23, 1995

Discovering Analees Williamsburg, a fifteen-year-old runaway slave in 1810, August King faces a moral dilemma in which he must decide between turning the girl in for a reward or risking his life to help her. Reprint. Movie tie-in.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Like a sitting bomb the intensity of this novel builds until its final explosion: a blend of love story and comment on racial strife, this explores a North Carolinan pioneer's involvement with a young runaway slave. The two loners find their lives drawn together as events proceed toward an inevitable confrontation and possible further loss for both. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Miramax; 1st pbk. ed edition (November 23, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786880317
• ISBN-13: 978-0786880317
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is one of the best novels I have ever read., September 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Journey of August King (Paperback)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical, fascinating., August 20, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Journey of August King (Paperback)

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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great if you've been there (North Carolina Mountains), June 25, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Journey of August King (Paperback)

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.