62 pages 2 hours read

Percival Everett

Erasure

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Erasure by Percival Everett, Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a frustrated African American author, writes an exaggerated, stereotypical novel under a pseudonym to protest the publishing industry's narrow expectations of Black literature. However, the novel's success forces Monk to confront societal racism and his own complicity, leading to a complex exploration of identity and artistic integrity. The novel discusses racism, violence, and suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Erasure by Percival Everett is praised for its sharp satire and thought-provoking exploration of racial and cultural identity. Critics appreciate Everett's clever narrative and complex characters. However, some find its layered storytelling challenging. Overall, the novel is admired for its bold commentary and inventive prose, despite its occasional intricacies.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Erasure?

A reader who would enjoy Percival Everett's Erasure appreciates satire and biting social commentary. Fans of Paul Beatty's The Sellout or Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man would find this novel's critique of racial stereotypes and the publishing industry's commodification of Black experiences compelling and thought-provoking.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Humor

African American Literature

Modern Classic Fiction

Topics

Race / Racism

Arts / Culture

Themes

Values/Ideas: Literature

Identity: Language

Identity: Race