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Title details for Ours by Phillip B. Williams - Available

Ours

A Novel

by Phillip B. Williams
Joniece Abbott-Pratt
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Named a Best Book of the Year by The New Yorker, People, Los Angeles Times, NPR, and more
“An inventive ode to self-determination and also a surrealistic vision of Black life as forged within the crucible of American history . . . [written in] lush, ornamental prose.” —The New Yorker
“Fans of The Underground Railroad, The Water Dancer, and Let Us Descend will devour this lyrical and surreal saga.” —Oprah Daily
From a writer of singular voice and vision, a mesmerizing epic that reimagines the past to explore the true nature of freedom

In this ingenious, sweeping novel, Phillip B. Williams introduces us to an enigmatic woman named Saint, a fearsome conjurer who, in the 1830s, annihilates plantations all over Arkansas to rescue the people enslaved there. She brings those she has freed to a haven of her own creation: a town just north of St. Louis, magically concealed from outsiders, named Ours.
It is in this miraculous place that Saint’s grand experiment—a truly secluded community where her people may flourish—takes root. But although Saint does her best to protect the inhabitants of Ours, over time, her conjuring and memories begin to betray her, leaving the town vulnerable to intrusions by newcomers with powers of their own. As the cracks in Saint’s creation are exposed, some begin to wonder whether the community’s safety might be yet another form of bondage.
Set over the course of four decades and steeped in a rich tradition of American literature informed by Black surrealism, mythology, and spirituality, Ours is a stunning exploration of the possibilities and limitations of love and freedom by a writer of capacious vision and talent.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    February 20, 2024

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780593827239
      • File size: 656691 KB
      • Duration: 22:48:06

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Joniece Abbott-Pratt performs this multigenerational novel set over several decades in the American South. In the 1830s, a mysterious woman named Saint frees enslaved people from plantations throughout Arkansas and brings them to a town they call Ours. There they find a safe haven from the rest of the world. But when Saint tightens her control of the townspeople, they begin to wonder what it means to be a free Black person in America. Abbott-Pratt voices the many characters who appear in Saint's orbit, moving seamlessly through different accents. Abbott-Pratt's cadence enthralls listeners, giving weight to this sweeping epic. Her performance is a stunning example of a masterful narrator at her best. K.D.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      May 31, 2024

      Williams debuts with a moving, fantastical story of family, friendship, fear, faith, and the nuances of freedom, portrayed through the lives of formerly enslaved Black Americans. Williams transports listeners to the 1834 town of Ours, located just north of St. Louis. A remarkable haven for the recently freed, Ours cannot be seen or found by outsiders. Saint, a powerful yet imperfect conjurer, is at the helm, shepherding a large group of people into a protected life free from bondage. With lyrical phrasing and evocative imagery, Williams crafts a compelling saga, tracing the characters' lives over generations as they build a community and consider the true meaning of freedom and choice in a town shrouded in more ways than one. Mirroring Williams's sensitive approach, narrator Joniece Abbott-Pratt treats each character with care as she details their individual journeys, relationships, and shifting natures. Her commanding performance, enhanced with just the right amount of raspy expression, breathes life into each character. VERDICT A lengthy but thoroughly engaging audiobook, encouraging listeners to nestle into this epic story, which explores the nature of survival, spirituality, and community.--Mitzi Mack

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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