Reviews

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson

tee_tee_tee's review against another edition

adventurous reflective sad fast-paced

3.25

Started: 06/20/24
Finished: 06/20/24
Format: e-book [KU]
Rating: ⭐️3.25

It was ok, liked the storyline. 

Read this if you like: 

• Reads like an autobiography fiction
• Biracial man being able to pass as a White man

carriedoodledoo's review against another edition

3.0

It's influenced so much of today's culture and it's really short, so you really don't have an excuse to not read it. Read it more for a feeling of sympathy. Lot of different arguments/points about race in here. Hard to believe this was 100 years ago, people are still getting butthurt over the difference in melanin.

courtbcook's review against another edition

2.0

After discussing the difference between what is considered a “good” novel and what is considered an “interesting” novel*, I have made the decision that this one is most certainly interesting, but not very good. Johnson presents race issues ranging from double-consciousness to passing (crossing the color line) to the struggle for identity as his unnamed narrator explores the dark tunnels connecting whiteness and blackness during Reconstruction. In this novel the reader (and the narrator) becomes privy to conversations usually held in the privacy of homogeneity, that is to say, that the conversations the narrator observes are usually reserved for people of the same color, but he is able to pass for both white and black allowing him and the reader a new, more complete, perspective of popular ideas held within post Civil War America. All of this is very interesting, but I think where Johnson loses me (makes me feel that it is not a "good" book) is in his dry narrative style, the way a plot seems to escape this novel, and in his narrator, who most of the time seems to be an observer rather than a participant which leads to a description of the goings-on of cities, but does not allow for the reader to invest in the character emotionally or otherwise. The ideas for contemplation presented in this book make it worth the read, however, if you are looking for a “good” book to snuggle up with, then I’d suggest choosing something else from the shelf.

*Good novel: one read for enjoyment, Interesting novel: One read for educational purposes, may not be 'good,' but may offer ideas, perspectives, issues, in such a way that can be useful to growth in one's studies (or living)

lavitanuova's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

prettypious's review against another edition

4.0

Understand going in that it isn’t an actual autobiography and you will be less confused...understand it as historical fiction and that is where it’s value lies...it makes the internal contradictions more acceptable

autumnfairy's review against another edition

4.0

Read for Uni

bookishdamzel's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man is well written literary fic book with the writing style of a memoir. 

The narrator's name is never revealed. You only learn that he has a biracial background and that he doesn't fit perfectly in either side of his heritage (being half black & half white). He grew up having the privilege of being light-skinned and white passing (unless somebody knew of his background - which he learned later on in life). As an adult, he tries to learn more about black culture in the south and finds that he loves jazz and church/choir music, the people, etc. He begins embracing this half of his heritage more, however still struggles with himself as he travels around the world.

Ultimately the man decides to choose the safety of his white passing appearance for his wife and children, who do not know he's biracial after seeing a public lynching. Instead of embracing his black heritage & himself as a biracial man. He effectively turned his head away from the horrors people, like himself, faced in the book that is rooted in real history.

 

There's plenty more to be said on this book and I do think it's worth the read! I enjoyed it for what it was and from my understanding this book inspired a lot of Harlem Renaissance authors of the time! 

hanna2411's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

graveyardpansy's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars? certainly a lot of outdated ideas, but really interesting nonetheless.

iluvmycats12's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced