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The Chaneysville Incident  By  cover art

The Chaneysville Incident

By: David Bradley
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine
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Publisher's summary

A bitter young man searches for the truth about his father’s death and discovers the power of history in shaping our lives.

Brilliant but troubled historian John Washington returns to his hometown of Chaneysville, Pennsylvania—just north of the Mason-Dixon Line—to learn more about the death of his father. Washington discovers that his father was researching a mystery of his own: why 13 escaped slaves reached freedom in Chaneysville only to die there, for reasons forgotten or never known at all.

A story of personal discovery and historical revelation, The Chaneysville Incident explores the power of our pasts. Based in part on actual events, this extraordinary novel won the prestigious PEN/Faulkner Award and placed David Bradley in the front ranks of contemporary American authors.

©1981 David H. Bradley, Jr. (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction

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What listeners say about The Chaneysville Incident

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

He said, she said, I said.

For me, the story didn't flow well. Lots of jumping around in time which may have been easier to follow in print, but a little tricky with a narrator. Also excessive use of the before mentioned he said, she said, which the narrator overly emphasized.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Engrossing story

I’m thankful I listened to this. The reading of this is wonderful and the story is so rich and deep.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Moving narrative

Very well-narrated, heartbreaking story of slavery and efforts to historically reconstruct the many interwoven narratives that reveal the truth.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • MJ
  • 11-15-21

Captivating

And now, I find myself in search of more information on the Underground Railroad. ...so much more.....
Well written and an excellent reader. He puts the emotion, tension and accents where needed. It draws you in. Quite the Novel. I will listen to it again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Read!

This was a captivating telling of the lived experience of Black people. Bradley connects a multitude of African American historical periods, concepts and stories. I particularly appreciated the use of a historian to reveal the plot while venturing on a journey of personal and historical discovery.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful for history lovers!

I really enjoyed this story. I appreciate history and this story is filled with it. It's fiction that you could learn from.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

I Finished It - But -

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I still never captured what exactly the author was trying to portray. I tried and tried to understand but the point never came to fruition.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Haven't decided yet.

Would you be willing to try another one of Noah Michael Levine’s performances?

No. I would not.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I love hearing about my African American history at any time, so I did enjoy hearing CK Washington's journey in freeing a lot of my people.

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