76 pages • 2 hours read
Not Without Laughter
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Book Brief
256
Novel • Fiction
Kansas • 1930s
1930
Adult
14-18 years
1000
Super Short Summary
Published in 1930, near the end of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes's Not Without Laughter is a coming-of-age narrative about James "Sandy" Rogers, an African-American boy from the small Kansas town of Stanton. Loosely based on Hughes's own childhood in Kansas, the novel traces the challenges of African-American life in the Midwest during the years leading up to World War I. Sensitive topics include racism and experiences of poverty within the African-American community.
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Melancholic
Nostalgic
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
4,696 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Langston Hughes's Not Without Laughter beautifully captures African American life during the early 20th century, showcasing rich, emotional storytelling and compelling character development. However, some readers find its pacing slow and plot somewhat meandering. Hughes’s poetic prose and cultural insights remain praised, making it a vital read despite minor flaws.
Who Should Read Not Without Laughter?
A reader who enjoys Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes would appreciate rich, culturally insightful narratives focusing on African American life during the early 20th century. Fans of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and James Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain will find this novel equally compelling for its poetic prose and social themes.
4,696 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
256
Novel • Fiction
Kansas • 1930s
1930
Adult
14-18 years
1000
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