42 pages • 1 hour read
Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Social Upheaval
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Book Brief
441
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • Early 20th Century
1997
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments by Saidiya Hartman catalogues the intimate lives of young Black women in northern U.S. cities during the Great Migration, exploring themes of free love and radical freedom against the backdrop of societal and racial injustice. Each chapter focuses on different aspects of Black life, such as relationships, sexuality, and resilience, offering a nuanced portrayal of their struggles for autonomy and dignity in the early 20th century. The book includes references to sexual assault.
Contemplative
Emotional
Informative
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
4,601 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments by Saidiya Hartman has received acclaim for its innovative blend of historical research and literary storytelling, vividly capturing the lives of young Black women in early 20th-century urban America. Critics praise its lyrical prose and deep empathy, though some find it occasionally disjointed. Overall, it's lauded as a groundbreaking work in historical scholarship.
Who Should Read Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments?
Readers who appreciate Saidiya Hartman’s Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments are often drawn to historical and cultural studies, especially those examining race, gender, and sexuality. Fans of Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow or Claudia Rankine’s Citizen will find Hartman's intricate narrative and archival research compelling.
4,601 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
441
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • Early 20th Century
1997
Adult
18+ years
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