The Best of African American Literature: 5 Great Books
I started to really get into African American literature during my Harlem Renaissance English class. Ever since then I have been trying to slowly read more African American literature on my own. Here are my top 5 recommendations in the genre of African American literature.
5. Quicksand/Passing-Nella Larson
I'm listing these two stories together because they are often grouped in a single book and I adore each store equally. I found these two stories to be enlightening as I learned about not only the character, but also about two different facets of African American history that I had ever heard about (I did grow up in a small predominately white town mind you). In Quicksand the main character is mulatto and struggles with finding a place in the world and a self identity that satisfies both her white and black sides. Passing discusses a light-skinned black woman who passes herself off as a white woman and the feelings that go along with her doing so. Both stories do a great job of allowing the read into the main characters mind to better understand their motivations for doing what they do, as well as their struggles with identity as black women.
4. Their Eyes Were Watching God-Zora Neale Hurston
This book is an absolute classic and read in many English classes. What I really find amazing about this book, especially as a writer, is the fact that she wrote the whole book in 7 weeks. I think that reason enough for anyone to read this book, even if simply to appreciate the fact that Zora Neale Hurston was able to write a classic book in such a short amount of time. Aside for that, the book does an amazing job of analyzing the dynamics of community, class, and relationships.
3. Dust Tracks on a Road-Zora Neale Hurston
The only reason I list this book ahead of Their Eyes Were Watching God is because I think that reading this book first may make comparison drawing between the way she portrays her life and the life that her main character in Their Eyes easier. This book reads more like a story than an autobiography which makes for very easy reading and quite enjoyable reading. It is also interesting to note the distance that Hurston keeps between herself and the reader.
2. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl-Harriet Jacobs
This book is one of my favorite books in any genre. It is very interesting to get a "first hand account" of slavery. And I put that in quotations because you have to remember that books like this one were published by white publishing companies, and were usually dictated to whites, so that does influence what appears in the book. Regardless of the subjective nature of the book, there are many things that one can learn from it, and plenty for one to ponder. I don't want to say anything more because I don't want to spoil a single moment of this book.
1. Roots-Alex Haley
I don't think I have to say much about this selection since I am sure that the majority of people have at least heard of the movie if not seen it. All I can say is, AMAZING! A must read!
Published by Ainsley Patterson
Ainsley is a highly motivated individual, who never finds her hunger for knowledge satisfied. Ainsley enjoys researching and writing about a wide variety of topics. She especially enjoys, however, utilizing... View profile
- African-American Heritage and Culture - Museums in MarylandThe African-American heritage is steeped in a rich history of tradition, music, culture and hard-work. These African-American museums in Maryland are devoted to celebrating and preserving it for future generations.
- Top Websites for African American HistoryAfrican American history encompasses almost four hundred years of struggle, achievement and contribution to America and the world. Here are some websites where you can discover that history for yourself.
- My Christmas Tree AdventureFor many people, the day after Thanksgiving brings a fun family tradition. No, not shopping at the crack of dawn, but Christmas tree hunting. And everyone knows that U-Cut trees are best.
From Hurston To Morrison: Prolonged Cultural Assumptions of African-Amer...Despite being separated by more than 60 years, authors Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison present their female characters in submissive and objectified roles to highlight the...- The African American CultureThe African American music and dance, speech and strong personality carry the African American culture to play a pivotal role in their rich history, powerful literature, and political movements that revealed around th...
- W.E.B. DuBois: A Great African-American Scholar and Activist
- The Best Classes in African American Studies
- Celebrate African-American History in February on These Top Web Sites
- An Afternoon with the African American Philharmonic Orchestra
- What Causes African American Men and Womens Hair Loss and Balding
- African American Christmas Ornaments
- Program Demands African American Men as Role Models for Philadelphia Youth
2 Comments
Post a CommentI have read a few of the books on your list. I have heard of Quicksand and Passing and they are on my list of books to read! I do think you would like NATIVE SON by Richard Wright. It's a wonderful novel that places you in the mind of a young black man caught in a downward spiral after he kills a young white woman in a brief moment of panic. It's set in Chicago in the 1930's reflecting the poverty and hopelessness of what it meant to be black in America. Just thought it be a good addition to your list.
I liked Hurston; long time since I read her. I first read Roots before it was published in Reader's Digest magazine in four parts. I remember being eager for the next month's to arrive so intrigued with the story. I do not know if those listed are the "best of". Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Du Bois, Richard Wright, James Baldwin are among the best. I am not big on poetry, but Maya Angelou is another in the "best" department with "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings". Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, J California Cooper, Walter Mosley are among my favorite African/American authors.