A review by shirleytupperfreeman
The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

I'm not sure how an author can tell a story about famous abolitionist, John Brown, and make it quite funny, but James McBride succeeded. The fact that John Brown was ultimately responsible for the deaths of quite a few people does make one wonder about the use of humor, but it's perfect. I feel like I learned a lot of history while enjoying the ride. The story is told by a 12-year-old freed slave who becomes part of Brown's abolitionist 'army' as it terrorizes the slave-holding folk in the Kansas Territory. John Brown was deeply religious and his prayers could go on for hours unless one of his sons reigned him in once the food was stone cold. Fictitious Henrietta (Henry) is a keen observer with a keen wit and a keen interest in self-preservation. It's a clever story with many comments about race that are laugh-out-loud funny. Afterwards I felt compelled to learn more about that time in American history and about the Harper's Ferry Raid in particular.