54 pages • 1 hour read
Citizen: An American Lyric
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
160
Book • Nonfiction
Contemporary
2014
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine is a genre-blending examination of race, racism, and citizenship in contemporary America. Through a mix of prose, poetry, and visual art, the book details various racial microaggressions and systemic injustices that African Americans face in everyday situations, while questioning the concept of a 'post-racial' society. The book contains detailed accounts of racially motivated violence and traumatic events.
Contemplative
Emotional
Unnerving
Challenging
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
51,843 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Claudia Rankine's Citizen: An American Lyric has been lauded for its powerful depiction of racial microaggressions and systemic racism, resonating deeply with modern social issues. Critics praise its innovative, genre-blending structure and poignant prose. However, some find its fragmented style challenging. Overall, it's a profound, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read Citizen: An American Lyric?
A reader who would enjoy Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine is deeply interested in topics of race, identity, and social justice, presented in a lyrical, poignant format. Those who appreciated Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me or Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye would find this book compelling and thought-provoking.
51,843 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Serena Williams
Serena Williams
An American tennis player who is frequently referenced within the narrative, highlighting themes of excellence and racial tensions in professional sports.
The Jena Six
The Jena Six
A group of black youth involved in a racially charged incident that underscores the book’s exploration of racism and justice in America.
Mark Duggan
Mark Duggan
His death by police in London is mentioned to draw parallels with racial injustices and the societal response to them.
Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Martin
His shooting and the ensuing protests are used to illustrate the national conversation on race and justice, contributing to the broader themes of the book.
160
Book • Nonfiction
Contemporary
2014
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.