41 pages • 1 hour read
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
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Book Brief
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1912212
Novel • Fiction
United States • Early 20th century
1912
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is a fictional memoir about a talented individual born to a Black mother and a white father after the Civil War who ultimately decides to live as a white man in the early 20th century. The protagonist navigates early life, racial identity, and aspirations in music, reflecting the complexities of race and culture. The novel includes graphic representations of racial violence, including lynching.
Contemplative
Informative
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is celebrated for its compelling narrative and profound insights into race and identity in early 20th-century America. Reviewers praise its unique first-person perspective and literary style, though some critique its episodic structure and uneven pacing. The novel remains an essential, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man?
A reader who would enjoy The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is interested in early 20th-century African American literature and narratives about racial identity. Fans of W. E. B. Du Bois' The Souls of Black Folk and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man will appreciate its exploration of race, culture, and identity in America.
The Millionaire
The Millionaire
An extremely wealthy white man who becomes the narrator's patron, influencing his life through sponsorship and advice, with a focus on personal pleasure.
The Mother
The Mother
A beautiful, industrious woman of mixed race who supports her family through a sewing business and nurtures the narrator's musical talents and educational aspirations.
Shiny
Shiny
A Black classmate admired by the narrator for his eloquence and scholarly achievements, inspiring the narrator's own ambitions and representing Black excellence.
The Wife
The Wife
A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, embodying white womanhood, whose relationship with the narrator tests the limits of racial boundaries.
212
Novel • Fiction
United States • Early 20th century
1912
Adult
18+ years
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