Hey, guys! This will be a pretty short review, but in my English class, we just finished Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. It was good and makes you think, but it was probably a hundred pages too long. The same point was repeated a few times too many, in my opinion, but it was still a great and notable book in American history.
The Cover(s):
The Cover(s):
There are many, many covers for Invisible Man (not to be confused with H.G. Wells's The Invisible Man). These are the two that I think are most prevalent. Neither is very interesting, but Invisible Man is not the type of book that fits a "busy" cover. A- cover
Official Description:
First published in 1952 and immediately hailed as a masterpiece, Invisible Man is one of those rare novels that have changed the shape of American literature. For not only does Ralph Ellison's nightmare journey across the racial divide tell unparalleled truths about the nature of bigotry and its effects on the minds of both victims and perpetrators, it gives us an entirely new model of what a novel can be.
As he journeys from the Deep South to the streets and basements of Harlem, from a horrifying "battle royal" where black men are reduced to fighting animals, to a Communist rally where they are elevated to the status of trophies, Ralph Ellison's nameless protagonist ushers readers into a parallel universe that throws our own into harsh and even hilarious relief. Suspenseful and sardonic, narrated in a voice that takes in the symphonic range of the American language, black and white, Invisible Man is one of the most audacious and dazzling novels of our century.
My Review:
Invisible Man was a very thought-provoking novel. It is about identity and racism and how the two relate. It offers a sense of the ideologies circling in the 1950s and even, in a lesser sense, today. Whether you are thinking of the '50s or 2016, Invisible Man will make you ponder the current situation regarding race, identity, and culture. In that regard, it is definitely worth reading.
However, while Invisible Man makes many good points, there are only a few core points. Ralph Ellison conveys his same point many times within three or four similar situations. While I appreciate the validity of his thoughts, it became repetitive after the second repetition. I feel as though a hundred pages could have been shaved off without any change in the story or its purpose.
Then, there is the narrator. He is a very compelling character, but he does not have a name. This is very frustrating as you read the book. Even when the main character changes his name, his new name nor his old name are announced. I found this to be irritating as I read, but I am sure that the nameless narrator has significance. I know that my English class found multiple possible reasons, and I can respect its symbolism but would have preferred from him to have a name.
Invisible Man was pretty easy to read though. The material is heavy, but the language, while not modern, was similar enough to not create problems.
I would recommend Invisible Man if you want to read about race and theories on identity. An important note is that it is intended for mature audiences. (There is a mildly detailed scene describing incenst, among other things.) So, be cautious if you do not think you can handle that.
Phrase: Optic White
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookshelfSecret
The Cover(s):
There are many, many covers for Invisible Man (not to be confused with H.G. Wells's The Invisible Man). These are the two that I think are most prevalent. Neither is very interesting, but Invisible Man is not the type of book that fits a "busy" cover. A- cover
Official Description:
First published in 1952 and immediately hailed as a masterpiece, Invisible Man is one of those rare novels that have changed the shape of American literature. For not only does Ralph Ellison's nightmare journey across the racial divide tell unparalleled truths about the nature of bigotry and its effects on the minds of both victims and perpetrators, it gives us an entirely new model of what a novel can be.
As he journeys from the Deep South to the streets and basements of Harlem, from a horrifying "battle royal" where black men are reduced to fighting animals, to a Communist rally where they are elevated to the status of trophies, Ralph Ellison's nameless protagonist ushers readers into a parallel universe that throws our own into harsh and even hilarious relief. Suspenseful and sardonic, narrated in a voice that takes in the symphonic range of the American language, black and white, Invisible Man is one of the most audacious and dazzling novels of our century.
My Review:
Invisible Man was a very thought-provoking novel. It is about identity and racism and how the two relate. It offers a sense of the ideologies circling in the 1950s and even, in a lesser sense, today. Whether you are thinking of the '50s or 2016, Invisible Man will make you ponder the current situation regarding race, identity, and culture. In that regard, it is definitely worth reading.
However, while Invisible Man makes many good points, there are only a few core points. Ralph Ellison conveys his same point many times within three or four similar situations. While I appreciate the validity of his thoughts, it became repetitive after the second repetition. I feel as though a hundred pages could have been shaved off without any change in the story or its purpose.
Then, there is the narrator. He is a very compelling character, but he does not have a name. This is very frustrating as you read the book. Even when the main character changes his name, his new name nor his old name are announced. I found this to be irritating as I read, but I am sure that the nameless narrator has significance. I know that my English class found multiple possible reasons, and I can respect its symbolism but would have preferred from him to have a name.
Invisible Man was pretty easy to read though. The material is heavy, but the language, while not modern, was similar enough to not create problems.
I would recommend Invisible Man if you want to read about race and theories on identity. An important note is that it is intended for mature audiences. (There is a mildly detailed scene describing incenst, among other things.) So, be cautious if you do not think you can handle that.
Phrase: Optic White
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookshelfSecret
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