The Known World tells the story of Henry Townsend, a black farmer and former slave who falls under the tutelage of William Robbins, the most powerful man in Manchester County, Virginia. Making certain he never circumvents the law, Townsend runs his affairs with unusual discipline. But when death takes him unexpectedly, his widow, Caldonia, can't uphold the estate's order, and chaos ensues. Jones has woven a footnote of history into an epic that takes an unflinching look at slavery in all its moral complexities.
Chapter 1. Liaison. The Warmth of Family. Stormy Weather
Chapter 2. The Wedding Present. Dinner First, Then Breakfast. Prayers Before an Offering
Chapter 3. A Death in the Family. Where God Stands. Ten Thousand Combs
Chapter 5. That Business Up in Arlington. A Cow Borrows a Life from a Cat. The Known World
Chapter 6. A Frozen Cow and a Frozen Dog. A Cabin in the Sky. The Taste of Freedom
Chapter 7. Job. Mongrels. Parting Shots
Chapter 8. Namesakes. Scheherazade. Waiting for the End of the World
Chapter 9. States of Decay. A Modest Proposal. Why Georgians Are Smarter
Chapter 10. A Plea Before the Honorable Court. Thirsty Ground. Are Mules Really Smarter Than Horses?
Chapter 12. Sunday. Barnum Kinsey in Missouri. Finding a Lost Loved One