“Jones has written a book of tremendous moral intricacy.” — The New Yorker
“A masterpiece that deserves a place in the American literary canon.” — Time
“Breathtaking....A fascinating counterweight to Toni Morrison’s Beloved....It is essential reading.” — Entertainment Weekly
” An exemplar of historical fiction. . . [it] will subdue your preconceptions, enrich your perceptions and trouble your sleep.. . .The way Jones tells this story. . .recalls Cormac McCarthy, William Faulkner and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.” — Newsday
” An exemplar of historical fiction. . . [it] will subdue your preconceptions, enrich your perceptions and trouble your sleep.. . .The way Jones tells this story. . .recalls Cormac McCarthy, William Faulkner and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.” — Starred Library Journal
“Astonishingly rich. . .The particulars and consequences of the ‘right’ of humans to own other humans are dramatized with unprecedented ingenuity and intensity, in a harrowing tale that scarcely ever raises its voice. . . . It should be a major prize contender.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred)
“A stunning debut novel.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Fascinating...poignant....[A] complex and fine novel.” — Baltimore Sun
“A strong, intricate, daring book by a writer of deep compassion and uncommon gifts.” — Peter Matthiessen
“Stunning....His first novel is...likely to win acclaim.” — New York Times
“If Jones. . .keeps up this level of work, he’ll equal the best fiction Toni Morrison has written about being black in America.” — Speakeasy
“One of those rare works of fiction that both wound and heal.” — O Magazine
“’The Known World’ is a great novel, one that may eventually be placed with the best of American Literature.” — San Diego Union-Tribune
“Heartbreaking....fascinating.” — Newsweek
“Brilliant....Glorious....[The Known World] belongs on the shelf with other classics of slavery, like Toni Morrison’s “Beloved.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Fascinating . . .There is grief and fear, genuine affection an envy in this complex and fine novel.” — Philadelphia Inquirer
“A major achievement.” — Time Out New York
“Extraordinary.....Nothing...quite prepares readers for the imaginative leaps and technical prowess of ‘The Known World.’” — Seattle Times
“A profoundly beautiful and insightful look at American slavery and human nature.” — Booklist (starred)
“Vivid....[An] epic novel.” — Book Magazine
“Beautifully written . . .[it] ought to enjoy the massive readership that Charles Frazier’s runaway hit, Cold Mountain did.” — USA Today
“Brilliant...Jones’ novel movingly evokes one small landscape of a larger map that so stubbornly yields up its truths today” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Stunning....Pitch-perfect....Too much cannot be said about Mr. Jones gifts as a storyteller and a stylist.” — The Washington Times
“Once you start the book you are hooked....Consider this novel necessary reading.” — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“This...magical novel will touch you in a profound way.” — People (4-Starred Critic's Choice)
“Complex, beautifully written, and breathtaking...the book will knock the wind out of you with the depth of its compassion.” — QBR: The Black Book Review
“Heartrending....[The Known World] walks with the pace and solemnity of the Bible.” — Dallas Morning News
“[A] powerful, multigenerational saga.” — Chicago Tribune Books
“Jones has written a book of tremendous moral intricacy.” — The New Yorker
“An incredible saga.” — Essence
“Destined for a permanent spot on the...shelf of great American novels about slavery, next to Morrison...and Faulkner.” — Boston Globe
“A grand and inspired work of historical fiction. . .[It] deserves every word of praise that comes its way.” — Chicago Tribune Books
“A masterpiece that deserves a place in the American literary canon.” — Time magazine