ceedoubleu's review
5.0
One of my top reads from the year! I really appreciate the story telling happening in each piece. I felt immersed and personally involved in each characters plot.
The one story that really stuck with me for weeks was “The Man Who Lived Underground”. The version that is in this collection is condensed. I purchased the full novel after reading this just so I can get all the little crumbs of this story in full!
“Man of All Work” was another good one! Seriously. I’d give this book 10 stars if I could. I wanted more!!!
The one story that really stuck with me for weeks was “The Man Who Lived Underground”. The version that is in this collection is condensed. I purchased the full novel after reading this just so I can get all the little crumbs of this story in full!
“Man of All Work” was another good one! Seriously. I’d give this book 10 stars if I could. I wanted more!!!
adamz24's review against another edition
2.0
I thought this was weak. A couple of the stories kind of work, and Wright in general has a particular sort of righteous conviction that is infectious and deeply interesting. I just don't think he was a particularly good writer.
guinness74's review against another edition
5.0
An incisive look via fictional (though one is autobiographical) vignettes of black life. Very often, it is painful to read stories such as these to imagine that my ancestors were complicit in this manner of caste system, but it also serves as a reminder that even today persons of color find themselves as lesser citizens due to this historical treatment. Excellent writing with weight and depth from Wright.
eekgranola's review against another edition
3.0
Read it because I'm teaching it next year. Not my favorite, but lots of great discussion points. Also, so little has changed. :(
shanaetheflyest's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent collection. Beautifully written short stories that capture the trials of being Black and male in America. I love this book!
bmatzke's review
4.0
I read this to compare the novel and short story versions of "The Man Who Lived Underground". I know this collection is considered lesser Wright, but I found it to be tremendously captivating. The novel version of "The Man Who Lived Underground" is better, but the story version is still very interesting. It, "Man God Ain't Like That" and "The Man Who Killed a Shadow" all feel like fragments of what should have been longer works. "Man of All Work" is a fantastic piece of dark comedy--at turns sensitive, hilarious, and terrifying. "The Man Who Was Almost a Man", "The Man Who Saw The Flood", and "Big Black Good Man" all feel like parables, and the last in particular feels like it could be a Nathaniel Hawthorne story. And "The Man Who Went to Chicago" is an excellent short memoir. While it's a bit ragged as a collection, it still feels like a very clear articulation of the themes of race and masculinity that run through all of Wright's works.
mikmatshes's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
tome15's review against another edition
5.0
One forgets between readings how subtle a writer Wright was. He takes subjects about which we usually preach obvious sermons and makes stories with nuanced characters who are responsible for their own lives, even though the forces of racism, poverty, and Freudian drives batter them like strong winds.