Books matching: african american experience
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- #1
Save:The Piano Lesson by August Wilson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that delves into the complexities of family heritage, ownership, and the ghosts of the past. Set in the 1930s, the story revolves around a family heirloom piano that becomes the center of a dispute between siblings, Boy Willie and Berniece. The play explores themes of African American identity, the impact of historical oppression, and the struggle to preserve memory in a changing world. Wilson's writing style is praised for its vibrant characters, realistic dialogue, and poetic elements that bring the story to life.
- #2
Save:A thoughtful, beautifully crafted slice-of-life play - short, powerful, and full of true-to-life conversations. It’s not Wilson’s flashiest, but it’s quietly gripping for fans of realistic drama.
The play 'Jitney' by August Wilson is set in a gypsy cab station in Pittsburgh in 1977, where drivers navigate through personal struggles and societal challenges. Through authentic dialogue and folk wisdom, Wilson portrays the African American experience in the late 20th century. The plot revolves around characters like Youngblood, a Vietnam veteran striving for the American dream, and Becker, the station owner facing closure and dealing with the return of his son from prison after a 20-year sentence.
1982•96 pages - #3
Save:A beautifully written, emotionally powerful classic that explores family, faith, and identity in Black America - but be ready for a reflective, sometimes challenging read that lingers long after you finish.
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin is a powerful and emotionally intense novel that delves into the lives of the Grimes family in Harlem. The story follows 14-year-old John Grimes as he navigates his complex relationships with his strict preacher father, Gabriel, and his own spiritual journey. Through a series of flashbacks and prayer segments, the reader is taken on a journey through the family's past, struggles, and deep-rooted faith. Baldwin's writing style is poetic, raw, and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the characters' inner turmoil and the societal challenges they face.
EVERYONE had always said that John would be a preacher when he grew up, just like his father. It had been said so often that John, without ever thinking about it, had come to believe it himself. Not u...1952•254 pages - #4Caneby:
Save:Cane is a groundbreaking, poetic, and challenging classic - not for everyone, but essential reading if you’re into literary innovation or the Harlem Renaissance.
Cane by Jean Toomer is a unique work that defies categorization, blending poetry with prose in a modernist style that captivates readers. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on the lives of black men and women in different settings, exploring themes of race, emotions, and landscapes. Part 1 is set in rural Georgia, painting a grim picture of religious obsession, fear, and bigotry, with a focus on women's experiences. Part 2 shifts to the north and the city, delving into the Jazz Age and the lives of men through dialogue and stream of consciousness. Part 3 takes the form of a play centered around the character of Ralph Kabnis, bringing the narrative back to its origins in Georgia.
Becky had one Negro son. Who gave it to her? Damn buck nigger, said the white folks’ mouths. She wouldnt tell. Common, God-forsaken, insane white shameless wench, said the white folks’ mouths. Her eye...January 1923•246 pages - #5
Save:A powerful, thoughtful collection with memorable characters and razor-sharp writing - perfect for readers who appreciate challenging, character-driven stories that linger long after the last page.
"Drinking Coffee Elsewhere" by Z.Z. Packer is a collection of short stories that explore themes of race, gender, and societal expectations. The stories feature compelling characters facing challenging situations, often with bitter or sad endings. Packer's writing style is praised for its refined language, memorable characters, and the ability to capture the complexity of human experiences.
BY OUR SECOND DAY at Camp Crescendo, the girls in my Brownie troop had decided to kick the asses of each and every girl in Brownie Troop 909. Troop 909 was doomed from the first day of camp; they were...January 2001•261 pages - #6
Save:A literary classic that’s challenging but totally rewarding - a landmark look at race, identity, and society that’s still deeply relevant today. Ambitious, strange, and unforgettable.
'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison is a powerful novel that delves into the struggles faced by a young generation of black Americans in the midst of racism and discrimination. The book offers a unique perspective on politics, racial issues, and the formation of American identity, addressing themes of race, class, gender, and the complexities of the human condition. Through the eyes of an unnamed narrator who feels invisible in society, the novel explores the challenges and injustices experienced by African Americans in the United States during the early 20th century.
Ellison's masterful writing style weaves together a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, filled with irony, humor, and impactful messages. The story unfolds with a mix of action, twists, and humor, while delivering an important message about identity, race relations, and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. 'Invisible Man' is praised for its ability to engage readers in a vivid portrayal of the African American experience, offering a poignant reflection on the historical and societal context of the time.
It goes a long way back, some twenty years. All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were o...1952•564 pages - #7
Save:A rich, haunting, and poetic journey of self-discovery - "Song of Solomon" is challenging but absolutely rewarding, and stands out as one of Toni Morrison’s masterpieces.
'Song of Solomon' by Toni Morrison is a beautifully written novel that follows the life of Milkman Dead, a young man on a journey of self-discovery while navigating different cultures. The book delves into the past, present, and future of an extended family whose ancestors were slaves, exploring themes of race, identity, and belonging. With a fully realized black world, the novel introduces a cast of complex characters and weaves a bold coming-of-age story threaded with a deep understanding of black culture.
The plot of 'Song of Solomon' revolves around Milkman's quest for self-awareness, symbolized by his continuous efforts to fly, mirroring a man's vain attempt to do the same at Milkman's birth. The narrative is multi-layered, with rich character development and intricate relationships that provide insights into the human experience, while the writing style is described as lyrical, daring, and experimental, capturing the complexities of interactions between race, gender, and class without being didactic.
The North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance agent promised to fly from Mercy to the other side of Lake Superior at three o’clock. Two days before the event was to take place he tacked a note on the door...1977•352 pages - #8
Save:Short but dense, 'Sula' is a haunting and rewarding read - brimming with Morrison's poetic style and powerful themes. It's not always comfortable, but it is unforgettable.
'Sula' by Toni Morrison is a novel that delves into the complexities of friendship, womanhood, and the African American experience in a small town called the Bottom. The story follows the intertwined lives of two girls, Nel and Sula, as they navigate their friendship from childhood through adulthood. Set against the backdrop of post-WWII Ohio, the book explores themes of racism, identity struggles, betrayal, forgiveness, and the enduring bond between the two women. Morrison's writing style is described as exquisite, with a lyrical and evocative quality that vividly captures the emotional depth of the characters and the community they inhabit.
Except for World War II, nothing ever interfered with the celebration of National Suicide Day. It had taken place every January third since 1920, although Shadrack, its founder, was for many years the...1971•188 pages - #9
Save:A beautifully written, thought-provoking collection of dark and eerie stories rooted in family, history, and cultural depth. Perfect for fans of atmospheric and emotional speculative fiction, even if you prefer a little ambiguity over tidy endings.
'Ghost Summer' by Tananarive Due is a collection of short fiction stories that span various genres such as horror, speculative fiction, and dark fantasy. Due's writing style is praised for its lush descriptions, relatable characters, and ability to evoke emotions. The book features stories that are mysterious, suspenseful, and surprising, with themes of human emotion, family relationships, and supernatural elements intertwined to create captivating narratives.
August 2015•336 pages - #10
Save:A hard-hitting, beautifully crafted American classic - best experienced live if you can, but essential reading for anyone interested in family, race, and the universal struggles to love, change, and forgive.
"Fences" by August Wilson is a play set in 1957 Pittsburgh, focusing on the main character, Troy Maxson, a former Negro leagues star turned garbage man. The story delves into the family drama between Troy, his wife Rose, and their sons, exploring themes of racism, family values, and survival. The play portrays Troy's struggles due to racist policies that kept him out of the major leagues and the impact of discrimination on his family's life. Through powerful monologues and rich storytelling, Wilson weaves a bittersweet tale of a man navigating the changing times of the late 1950s while facing inner conflicts and generational divides.
It is 1957. TROY and BONO enter the yard, engaged in conversation. TROY is fifty-three years old, a large man with thick, heavy hands; it is this largeness that he strives to fill out and make an acco...1986•127 pages
