54 pages • 1 hour read
Pauline Elizabeth HopkinsOf One Blood: Or, the Hidden Self
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1902A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Of One Blood by Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins follows Reuel Briggs, a medical student who downplays his biracial identity and becomes romantically involved with singer Dianthe Lusk. After saving her life and marrying her, Reuel embarks on an African expedition where he uncovers his royal Ethiopian heritage and reconnects with his racial identity, while Dianthe uncovers tragic family secrets. The novel explores African heritage, race, the legacy of enslavement, and the supernatural in the early 20th century.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins’ Of One Blood is lauded for its pioneering blend of African American folklore, history, and mysticism, resulting in a thought-provoking narrative. Critics appreciate its exploration of race and identity, though some find its plot complexities challenging. Overall, it’s celebrated for its cultural significance and imaginative storytelling.
Who Should Read Of One Blood?
A reader who enjoys Of One Blood by Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins typically appreciates early 20th-century African American literature, themes of racial identity, and mystical elements. Fans of W.E.B. Du Bois’s The Souls of Black Folk and Octavia Butler’s Kindred would find this work engaging for its exploration of Afrocentrism and supernatural motifs.
224
Novel • Fiction
Boston, Massachusetts • 1900s
1902
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.