Today in Bookish and Literary History, September 27

 1852 George Aiken's play "Uncle Tom's Cabin" an adaptation of Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous anti-slavery novel premieres in Troy, New York

1984 Angela Carter’s Nights at the Circus (UK)

The novel focuses on the life and exploits of Sophie Fevvers, a woman who is – or so she would have people believe – a Cockney virgin, hatched from an egg laid by unknown parents and ready to develop fully fledged wings.

• Winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction
• Winner of the Best of the James Tait Black

2020 Someone's Uncle by Alison Espach

Alison Espach, acclaimed author of The Adults , brings her razor sharp insight and storytelling magic to bear in this entrancing tale.

2022 The Furrows by Namwali Serpell

The Furrows follows the story of Cassandra Williams, also known as Cee, whose mother is a white painter, and her father is a Black academic. When Cee was twelve years old, she went swimming in the ocean with her younger brother, Wayne, who was only seven at the time. Unfortunately, as a storm suddenly intensified, Wayne mysteriously vanished, and Cee finds herself burdened with the blame for his apparent death. This tragic event shatters their family, leading to their parents' divorce.

• Shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award
• Longlisted for the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction
• Longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Literary Prize

2022 The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr

When a mudslide strands a train, Baxter, a queer Black sleeping car porter, must contend with the perils of white passengers, ghosts, and his secret love affair

• Shortlisted for The 2024 Dublin Literary Award
• Winner of The 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize
• Winner of The City Of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize
• Winner of The 2023 Georges Bugnet Award For Fiction
• Finalist for The 2023 Governor General's Award For English-Language Fiction
• Shortlisted for The Carol Shields Prize For Fiction
• Shortlisted for The 2022 Republic Of Consciousness Prize