In 'Invisible Man,' Ralph Ellison weaves a profound narrative of identity and alienation as an unnamed Black protagonist navigates the complexities of race in America. Stripped of individuality, he becomes a metaphorical 'invisible man,' grappling with societal expectations and personal truths. From vibrant Harlem scenes to the oppressive shadows of the South, the journey reveals the psychological toll of racism and the search for self-identity. Bound by the constraints of a society that refuses to see him, his quest raises haunting questions about visibility and existence. This novel challenges readers to reflect on the nature of identity and the struggles for recognition in a world that often ignores the unseen.
By Ralph Ellison
Published: 1995
"I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me."
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this deeply compelling novel and epic milestone of American literature, a nameless narrator tells his story from the basement lair of the Invisible Man he imagines himself to be. He describes growing up in a Black community in the South, attending a Negro college from which he is expelled, moving to New York and becoming the chief spokesman of the Harlem branch of "the Brotherhood," before retreating amid violence and confusion. Originally published in 1952 as the first novel by a then unknown author, it remained on the bestseller list for sixteen weeks and established Ralph Ellison as one of the key writers of the century. The book is a passionate and witty tour de force of style, strongly influenced by T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, James Joyce, and Dostoevsky.
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“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.”
Invisible Man
By Ralph Ellison
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Ralph Ellison was an acclaimed American novelist, essayist, and critic, born on March 1, 1914, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is best known for his groundbreaking novel 'Invisible Man', which won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1953. The book addresses complex themes of identity, race, and individualism, reflecting Ellison's own experiences as an African American in the mid-20th century. In addition to 'Invisible Man', his notable works include 'Shadow and Act' and 'Going to the Territory', both of which explore African American culture and the nuances of social identity. Ellison's writing style is characterized by its rich, lyrical prose, blending elements of jazz and folklore, and presents profound commentary on the American experience.
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SHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILEY'S WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 'A delicious, important novel' The Times 'Alert, alive and gripping' Independent 'Some novels tell a great story and others make you change the way you look at the world. Americanah does both.' Guardian As teenagers in a Lagos secondary school, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love. Their Nigeria is under military dictatorship, and people are fleeing the country if they can. Ifemelu--beautiful, self-assured--departs for America to study. She suffers defeats and triumphs, finds and loses relationships and friendships, all the while feeling the weight of something she never thought of back home: race. Obinze--the quiet, thoughtful son of a professor--had hoped to join her, but post-9/11 America will not let him in, and he plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Thirteen years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria, while Ifemelu has achieved success as a writer of an eye-opening blog about race in America. But when Ifemelu returns to Nigeria, and she and Obinze reignite their shared passion--for their homeland and for each other--they will face the toughest decisions of their lives. Fearless, gripping, spanning three continents and numerous lives, Americanah is a richly told story of love and expectation set in today's globalized world.
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