charity_ix's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Immediately after picking this book up, I knew it would change my life. Langston Hughes is one of my favorite black icons from the Harlem Renaissance era, but I had only read his poetry in school. That led me to try his debut novel, Not Without Laughter. I also have to add that the introduction done by Angela Flournoy was magnificent and magnified all of the excellent things Hughes did with this book and how bold it was for its time.
This book was published in 1930, but I was very surprised at how relevant it is today. My favorite part of this book is how real each of the characters felt. As I said earlier, although the book discusses multiple topics of controversy within the black community today, the characters don't feel like a political statement. Nobody from this book is supposed to be "bad" or "wrong", it's just a matter of differing opinions as a result of each character's personal experiences.
Aunt Hager, Harriet, and Sandy were my favorite characters. I didn't care much for Annjee because while I knew she was trying her hardest and loved her family, it felt like she chose Jimboy, who really ain't nothing, over them. Jimboy was alright, but he really didn't have any connection with his own son who basically idolized him when he was younger. Aunt Tempy also got on my nerves (for obvious reasons) and I hated how she tried to claim Sandy's smarts were thanks to her when in reality Hager was the only one who raised and cared for him. Sandy as a narrator was genius because, as said in the introduction, he has this observant point of view where he's always in the middle of everything. As he got older, I came to really enjoy Sandy.
The portrayal of blackness in this book was also perfect. From the accent and improper English the elders spoke, to the foods described, all of it was so raw and real which was refreshing.
This is the first book in my life where I've felt the need to tab/annotate and I probably will after completing this review. It made me think about the ways of life as an African American. I cried so much and gained so many new perspectives after reading this. I would highly recommend this book to other black people, specifically ADOS. Loved it and can't wait to read more from Hughes!
This book was published in 1930, but I was very surprised at how relevant it is today. My favorite part of this book is how real each of the characters felt. As I said earlier, although the book discusses multiple topics of controversy within the black community today, the characters don't feel like a political statement. Nobody from this book is supposed to be "bad" or "wrong", it's just a matter of differing opinions as a result of each character's personal experiences.
Spoiler
Sister Johnson hated white people because they burned her village down as a child and treat blacks badly in her present. Meanwhile, Aunt Hager, although a slave, had a somewhat positive experience with the mistress of the house and believes that hating white people will only make your heart ugly. Both of the character's opinions don't invalidate the others and the reader is not necessarily supposed to pick a side, but rather understand each character.Aunt Hager, Harriet, and Sandy were my favorite characters. I didn't care much for Annjee because while I knew she was trying her hardest and loved her family, it felt like she chose Jimboy, who really ain't nothing, over them. Jimboy was alright, but he really didn't have any connection with his own son who basically idolized him when he was younger. Aunt Tempy also got on my nerves (for obvious reasons) and I hated how she tried to claim Sandy's smarts were thanks to her when in reality Hager was the only one who raised and cared for him. Sandy as a narrator was genius because, as said in the introduction, he has this observant point of view where he's always in the middle of everything. As he got older, I came to really enjoy Sandy.
The portrayal of blackness in this book was also perfect. From the accent and improper English the elders spoke, to the foods described, all of it was so raw and real which was refreshing.
This is the first book in my life where I've felt the need to tab/annotate and I probably will after completing this review. It made me think about the ways of life as an African American. I cried so much and gained so many new perspectives after reading this. I would highly recommend this book to other black people, specifically ADOS. Loved it and can't wait to read more from Hughes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Hate crime
Moderate: Death and Slavery
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