58 pages • 1 hour read
We Cast a Shadow
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.
Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
The South • Near Future
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin is a satirical fiction novel set in a dystopian near-future American South where extreme racism prevails; it follows an unnamed Black lawyer who, driven by fear for his biracial son Nigel's future, obsessively plans to subject him to a controversial skin-whitening procedure, leading to moral compromises and personal tragedies.
Dark
Unnerving
Mysterious
Challenging
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
5,488 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin offers a compelling yet unsettling exploration of race and identity. Praised for its sharp satire and inventive prose, the novel delves into societal norms with a unique voice. However, some critics found its dystopian elements heavy-handed. Overall, a provocative and timely read that challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths.
Who Should Read We Cast a Shadow?
A reader who enjoys satirical, dystopian literature with poignant social commentary akin to The Sellout by Paul Beatty or Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will be captivated by Maurice Carlos Ruffin's We Cast a Shadow. Fans of richly layered narratives exploring race, identity, and power dynamics will find this novel particularly compelling.
5,488 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Novel • Fiction
The South • Near Future
2019
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.