New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993. First edition - Her third novel, winner of the Whitbread Prize. Based on her own grandfather's life, this powerful novel is narrated by the granddaughter of man who was sold into slavery - "bound over" - at the age of 4, for $15.00 - something that was not uncommon with the (white) children of dead or destitute soldiers after the end of the Civil War.) Much of the story is about working as a gandy dancer on the railroad, but it is shows how the "war" - experienced by one generation can still be present in later ones. 257 pp plus author's note.

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993. First edition - Her third novel, winner of the Whitbread Prize. Based on her own grandfather's life, this powerful novel is narrated by the granddaughter of man who was sold into slavery - "bound over" - at the age of 4, for $15.00 - something that was not uncommon with the (white) children of dead or destitute soldiers after the end of the Civil War.) Much of the story is about working as a gandy dancer on the railroad, but it is shows how the "war" - experienced by one generation can still be present in later ones. 257 pp plus author's note.