Song Yet Sung Audiobook By James McBride cover art

Song Yet Sung

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Song Yet Sung

By: James McBride
Narrated by: Leslie Uggams
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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction, Deacon King Kong, Five-Carat Soul, and Kill 'Em and Leave

In the days before the Civil War, a runaway slave named Liz Spocott breaks free from her captors and escapes into the labyrinthine swamps of Maryland’s eastern shore, setting loose a drama of violence and hope among slave catchers, plantation owners, watermen, runaway slaves, and free blacks. Liz is near death, wracked by disturbing visions of the future, and armed with “the Code,” a fiercely guarded cryptic means of communication for slaves on the run. Liz’s flight and her dreams of tomorrow will thrust all those near her toward a mysterious, redemptive fate.

Filled with rich, true details—much of the story is drawn from historical events—and told in McBride’s signature lyrical style, Song Yet Sung is a story of tragic triumph, violent decisions, and unexpected kindness.

©2008 James McBride (P)2008 Penguin African American Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction World Literature Inspiring

Critic reviews

"McBride...can deliver the cauterizing power of anger without the corrosive effects of bitterness.... It just might turn out to be balm for a wound that has so far stubbornly refused to heal." (The New York Times)

"Gripping, affecting, and beautifully paced, Song Yet Sung illuminates, in the most dramatic fashion, a deeply troubled, vastly complicated moment in American history." (O, The Oprah Magazine)

"Powerful...A complex, ever-tightening, increasingly suspenseful web." (The Washington Post Book World)
Masterful Storytelling • Compelling Characters • Historical Authenticity • Emotional Depth • Complementary Music
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This is my 1st James McBride book & it is thee best book that I’ve read (listened to) this year, and in a long time. Excellent story and engaging characters. I’m looking forward to getting more acquainted with this author’s storytelling.

Had my undivided attention from the 1st word!

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This is definitely one of my top 3 James McBride books next to "The Good Lord Bird" and "The Heaven and Earth Store". I've listened to all of his books on Audible, but the is the first time ever that I felt compelled to listen to a book again directly after finishing it. And although I knew the ending, I still found myself so captivated that it was as if I was listening to it the first time. Ms. Leslie Uggams is INCREDIBLE as the narrator!

So good, I listened to it twice!

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I couldn't stop listening to this book! Leslie Uggams does such a great job narrating, that I felt I was right there in the story. The music was a good choice also. I was a little disappointed in the way it ended, but all-in-all it is a thoughtful, well written and well read book.

Spellbinding

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This was a very good book. My son needed the book for a college English class and I ended up reading it with him. Excellent!

A Must Read.

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I absolutely admire James McBride having the courage to unravel embarrassing US history, except for rocky outcropping below Cambridge MD the story was right on history and park in the driveway awaiting the end of the chapter excellent!

Brave advance in story telling

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Leslie's reading of the story helped your mind see all the characters . The story of the dreamer came to life as she spoke the words " Free at last, free at last thank God almighty I'm free at last." Wanted Liz and Amber to get away together but knew it had to happen the way it did.Enjoyed this book very much.

knowing the dreamer.

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This is an excellent novel. The narration and music was a nice addition. The story line was one filled with mystery from the beginning to the end.

The back story for each character.

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Fantastic nuanced depiction of slave era Maryland and fantastic narration that brings you right into the action.

Beautiful and gripping

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Leslie Ugums was a great narrator and the story was unique and interesting I loved it use a credit

Excellent

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The story had you feeling all different emotions he is one of the best I put him with ice cube, biggie, and James McBride as some of the best storytellers that’s right, I said IT

One of the best story writers

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