Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

8 reviews

nikkiacat's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow. Before I started this book, I didn't even know if I would like it. I was interested in the subject matter, it's in like with other things I've read and enjoyed (for example I've read almost everything Richard Wright has written, and  he encouraged Ralph Ellison to write), but I was put off by what I'd heard about the narrative voice. And the things I had heard were true, the narration is metaphor-laden and almost dreamy at times. But wow. After it sitting on the shelf for probably a couple of years, I picked it up on a whim and was almost immediately glued to it. I couldn't put it down, the book had me in a chokehold until I completed it. This is a classic that's worthy of being called that. I've got a quote that I'll let speak for itself (warning, it is lengthy, but I just had to include the whole thing):

It was as though I'd learned suddenly to look around corners; images of past humiliations flickered through my head and I saw that they were more than separate experiences. They were me; they defined me. I was my experiences and my experiences were me, and no blind men, no matter how powerful they became, even if they conquered the world, could take that, or change one single itch, taunt, laugh, cry, scar, ache, rage or pain of it. They were blind, bat blind, moving only by the echoed sounds of their own voices. And because they were blind they would destroy themselves, and I'd help them. I laughed. Here I had thought they had accepted me because they felt that color made no difference, when in reality it made no difference because they didn't see either color or men. For all they were concerned, we were so many names scribbled on fake ballots, to be used at their convenience and when not needed to be filed away. It was a joke, an absurd joke. And now I looked around a corner of my mind and saw Jack and Norton and Emerson merge into one single white figure. They were very much the same, each attempting to force his picture of reality upon me and neither giving a hoot in hell for how things looked to me. I was simply a material, a natural resource to be used. I had switched from the arrogant absurdity of Norton and Emerson to that of Jack and the Brotherhood, and it all came out the same- except I now recognized my invisiblity.

And as striking as that is, it's not even in the climax to the book. 

There's a lot in Invisible Man that is, unfortunately, still extremely relevant today, 72 years after its initial publishing. And I mean specific events, not just the general concept of racism in America. I wouldn't necessarily call this a pleasant read, because given the subject matter, it's not lighthearted and fun. But it feels necessary. And I would call it gripping.

Fantastic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Pregnancy

syntax_of_angels's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Very interesting and thought provoking, but I think a lot went over my head. A few points really had me intrigued, though. Overall I'd say it's worth a read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Medical content, and Medical trauma

discodetective's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I might have to read this again when I have more time to sit with it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Child abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Sexism, and Police brutality

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Alcohol

vickymcckey's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the kind of book that needs a separate book to explain all the references you missed the first time. My advice to anyone reading it who wants to derive as much meaning as possible is to annotate like a nerdy high schooler. Color code references and keep wikipedia by your side to look up any word that seems even a little bit intentional. Because I promise you, it’s all intentional. Parts of this book are disturbing, parts dryly humorous, parts hopeful or sad, but every word has thought behind it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Incest, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Police brutality, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Vomit

kamilawithak's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, and Gaslighting

Minor: Homophobia

ashley_1206's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

3.5⭐️

guys i actually liked this book but it was so damn long. but the symbolism, message, and everything from a literary standpoint was good. it’s definitely my favorite summer reading book for ap lit! but please classics STOP HAVING LONG CHAPTERS.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism

ratthew86's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

isanwhittaker's review against another edition

inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape