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42 pages 1 hour read

Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Social Upheaval

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1997

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Book Brief

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Saidiya Hartman

Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1997
Book Details
Pages

441

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

New York City • Early 20th Century

Publication Year

1997

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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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

4.6

4,601 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

4.6

4,601 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

441

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

New York City • Early 20th Century

Publication Year

1997

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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