The Good Lord Bird

The Good Lord Bird by James McBride is a witty, humorous and thought-provoking historical novel that follows the story of an enslaved boy in pre-Civil War America. It is an exploration of identity, race, slavery and freedom during a tumultuous time in American history. The novel’s protagonist is Onion, a young African American who finds himself on a journey with the radical abolitionist John Brown. Through Onion’s eyes, McBride paints a vivid picture of the brutality and injustice of slavery, as well as the courage and resilience of those fighting for their freedom. An interesting aspect of this award-winning book is its comedic elements which provide a light-heartedness to the otherwise dark subject matter. The Good Lord Bird takes readers on an incredible journey through history and provides insight into what it was like to live through one of America’s most divisive periods. Read on to find out more about why this novel has earned such critical acclaim.