John Henry Days

Colson Whitehead's 'John Henry Days' ingeniously weaves together two distinct narratives: the mythical tale of John Henry, the legendary 'steel-driving man' who raced against a machine, and the contemporary journey of J. Sutter, a jaded, middle-aged Black journalist. Sutter is on a quest to break a junketeering record, attending the annual John Henry Days festival in Talcott, West Virginia, where he hopes to witness a new John Henry figure emerge. As Sutter navigates a landscape filled with public relations flacks, eccentric collectors, blues musicians, and pop culture enthusiasts, his cynical observations and internal musings offer a sharp, satirical commentary on American identity, media, and the commodification of history. The novel brilliantly explores the enduring power of myth, the challenges of modern life, and the complex interplay between legend and pop culture, all while dissecting themes of race, labor, and the elusive nature of heroism in a high-velocity, intellectually dazzling style.