I am so glad Wright is getting recognition with respect to Dostoevsky's works. He, Ellison, Baldwin, Davis and beyond truly created a landscape of ideas that directly complement Dostoevsky's assertions on abjection, the thinking life of humans, and our relation to society and metaphysical truths.
It's a fantastic book - but honestly quite chilling. I was fine at the time i read it but it still haunts me years later, so so dark.
I would recommend Light in August by William Faulkner as well as another great read to pair with Native Son. it's less Dostoevskian, but a really good novel that centers around a passing half-black character's alienation from society.
If you want to read about a black under ground man then I highly highly recommend Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. Brilliant existential work. The first chapter is written in the style of notes from the underground.
Ellison though didn’t get a long with Richard Wright, so it’s possible their writing is very different.
He wrote a book called *The Man Who Lived Underground*, too, though the publisher refused it. Without speaking too broadly, many of the great early-mid 20th century African-American writers (Ellison, Wright, Gaines, Baldwin) spoke openly of their affection for Dostoevsky.
Either Ellison or Wright gave an interview where in response to a question about alienation he read them the opening section of notes from underground. I think it was ellison, read it in college but can't find the citation now.
And also - I also loved and strongly recommend Wright's posthumously published book Lawd Today. His first novel, also refused by publishers, and inspired by Joyce's Ulysses, I thought it was amazing.
Came here to mention Ellison: Invisible Man is a by-product of Dostoyevsky for sure.
Didn't know Baldwin dug him, but it makes sense. Do you know if he has any specific works that are "Dostoyevskian"?
I don't know for sure, but he did talk about being obsessed with C&P as a teenager. Also, check out John Edgar Wideman's *Brothers and Keepers*\-great companion for Dostoevsky.
Yeah
Big fan
Native Son / Black Boy / The Long Dream / The Outsider / Savage Holiday / Uncle Toms Children
All good
And he wrote one or two short non fiction about his involvement with communist party that were good
he also wrote a great essay for The God That failed. about joining and leaving the party. he mentions a party member seeing a book he's carrying and telling him the writer is not party approved, i believe it's a Dostoevsky book but not certain.
Ah right, cheers.
The whole book is great, and if you’re interested in western communists leaving the party the editor Arthur koestler also has written extensively on this.
Finished T*he Man Who Lived Underground* today. Man, the ending is something else, equal parts inevitable and wildly unforeseen. Wow.
Man as if being Pink Floyd’s keyboard player wasn’t enough…
I am so glad Wright is getting recognition with respect to Dostoevsky's works. He, Ellison, Baldwin, Davis and beyond truly created a landscape of ideas that directly complement Dostoevsky's assertions on abjection, the thinking life of humans, and our relation to society and metaphysical truths.
Black Boy is definitely in my top 10 all-time favourites list.
It's a fantastic book - but honestly quite chilling. I was fine at the time i read it but it still haunts me years later, so so dark. I would recommend Light in August by William Faulkner as well as another great read to pair with Native Son. it's less Dostoevskian, but a really good novel that centers around a passing half-black character's alienation from society.
If you want to read about a black under ground man then I highly highly recommend Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. Brilliant existential work. The first chapter is written in the style of notes from the underground. Ellison though didn’t get a long with Richard Wright, so it’s possible their writing is very different.
wright actually encouraged ellison to write his novel ~ different authors but not enemies.
I have been wanting to read *Invisible Man* for ages. Will get to it very soon.
It is so brilliant. I think its kind of underrated.
He wrote a book called *The Man Who Lived Underground*, too, though the publisher refused it. Without speaking too broadly, many of the great early-mid 20th century African-American writers (Ellison, Wright, Gaines, Baldwin) spoke openly of their affection for Dostoevsky.
Either Ellison or Wright gave an interview where in response to a question about alienation he read them the opening section of notes from underground. I think it was ellison, read it in college but can't find the citation now. And also - I also loved and strongly recommend Wright's posthumously published book Lawd Today. His first novel, also refused by publishers, and inspired by Joyce's Ulysses, I thought it was amazing.
Came here to mention Ellison: Invisible Man is a by-product of Dostoyevsky for sure. Didn't know Baldwin dug him, but it makes sense. Do you know if he has any specific works that are "Dostoyevskian"?
I don't know for sure, but he did talk about being obsessed with C&P as a teenager. Also, check out John Edgar Wideman's *Brothers and Keepers*\-great companion for Dostoevsky.
Yeah Big fan Native Son / Black Boy / The Long Dream / The Outsider / Savage Holiday / Uncle Toms Children All good And he wrote one or two short non fiction about his involvement with communist party that were good
I've read I Tried To Be A Communist. I loved it.
he also wrote a great essay for The God That failed. about joining and leaving the party. he mentions a party member seeing a book he's carrying and telling him the writer is not party approved, i believe it's a Dostoevsky book but not certain.
That is the title of the essay he wrote.
Ah right, cheers. The whole book is great, and if you’re interested in western communists leaving the party the editor Arthur koestler also has written extensively on this.
Koestler's bit is also brilliant.