“Have I found a great book!” With these words of enthusiasm and excitement Oprah Winfrey launched the next round of her popular Book Club. Colson Whitehead’s new novel, The Underground Railroad, was announced as the upcoming pick for the popular interactive and multiplatform reading club that aims to bring “passionate readers together to discuss inspiring stories.” Wild, by author and motivational speaker Cheryl Strayed, was picked for the book club in 2012.

“This book has kept me up at night, had my heart in my throat, almost afraid to turn the next page,” Oprah said in a video announcing the news. “Get it, then get another copy for somebody you know because you are definitely going to want to talk about this with somebody once you read that last, heart-stopping page.”

The Underground Railroad is a magnificent tour de force that chronicles a young slave’s journey during a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South. The novel is a shattering meditation on the United States’ complicated political and racial history.

Asked about the selection, Colson Whitehead told Entertainment Weekly, “Oprah has introduced so many wonderful books to people, from The Song of Solomon to The Sound and The Fury, that I’m honored and grateful that The Underground Railroad is joining such great company. You write the best book you can, and hope it finds its way. This is the best kind of sendoff.”

A riveting speaker, Colson Whitehead has given talks at universities and libraries across the country. In his lectures, he discusses his new novel, openly addressing the complexities of revisiting and writing about slavery today.

Please contact us to learn more about booking Colson Whitehead for speaking engagements.