Scan barcode
kevin_shepherd's review
5.0
Here are fourteen short stories that throw light on that ominous intersection of Black and White. Langston Hughes wrote with amazing clarity and purpose. His absorbing fiction reveals the abhorrent realities of the Jim Crow South and reanimates a shameful era of history that none of us should ever, ever forget.
spayscue's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
m00nlightmusings's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bex0's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
rebcamuse's review
5.0
These may be short stories, but they are not short reads--nor should they be. Langston Hughes gives us a multi-dimensional look at racism through vivid characterization and writing that can be both acidic and tender. "Slave on the Block" looks at fetishization. "Home" and "The Blues I'm playing" should be required reading for music students--especially those studying the classical tradition. The final and longest story, "Father and Son" exposes the workings of classism and colorism, and is one of the most powerful short stories I have ever read. Throughout the book, questions of "home" and what that means seem to surface time and time again. This is one of the most important short story collections of the twentieth century, and is an essential inroad to understanding race relations in the U.S.
maxjmorgan's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
amelia_herring's review
5.0
Wow-- I'm so glad I unearthed this treasure while seeking a replacement for Black Boy on our summer reading list. These short stories really hit to the core of race relations, and while written 80 years ago, the arrow still hits its mark.
gijs's review against another edition
4.0
3,5 stars; reading these shorts is feeling pain, injustice and outrage; all not more than a single human lifetime in the past. ‘Father and son’ concludes this collection of vignettes of varying length; intensely gripping and sad. Be sure to check Hughes' poetry; [b:The Collected Poems|133906|The Collected Poems|Langston Hughes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701607425l/133906._SX50_.jpg|129000].