86 pages 2 hours read

Ralph Ellison

Invisible Man

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1952

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Invisible Man follows a young Black man growing up in the Jim Crow South who strives for professional success despite facing racial discrimination and stereotyping. After being expelled from college under false pretenses, he moves to New York City, becomes a community activist with the Brotherhood of Man, and grapples with betrayal and identity. Characterized by psychological and social themes, the novel explores the protagonist's journey towards self-determination. The book contains depictions of racial violence and medical mistreatment.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is hailed for its profound narrative and exploration of identity and society. Critics praise its compelling prose and insightful commentary on racial issues. However, some find its structure complex and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's considered a powerful and important work in American literature, despite minor stylistic critiques.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Invisible Man?

Ideal for those captivated by existential and social themes, readers of Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison will enjoy profound, thought-provoking explorations of identity and race. Fans of Richard Wright’s Native Son and James Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain will appreciate this powerful narrative on the African American experience.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Music

Race / Racism

Education

Genre

Modern Classic Fiction

American Literature

African American Literature

Period

Existentialism