Ishmael Reed





Ishmael Reed

Author profile


born
February 22, 1938 in Chattanooga, Tennessee

gender
male


About this author

Ishmael Scott Reed is an American poet, essayist, and novelist. A prominent African-American literary figure, Reed is known for his satirical works challenging American political culture, and highlighting political and cultural oppression.

Reed has been described as one of the most controversial writers. While his work has often sought to represent neglected African and African-American perspectives, his energy and advocacy have centered more broadly on neglected peoples and perspectives irrespective of their cultural origins.


Average rating: 3.84 · 4,489 ratings · 381 reviews · 53 distinct works
Mumbo Jumbo
3.76 of 5 stars 3.76 avg rating — 816 ratings — published 1971 — 9 editions
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Flight to Canada
3.61 of 5 stars 3.61 avg rating — 274 ratings — published 1976 — 4 editions
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Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down
3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 avg rating — 176 ratings — published 1971 — 8 editions
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The Free-Lance Pallbearers
3.67 of 5 stars 3.67 avg rating — 103 ratings — published 1967 — 8 editions
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Japanese by Spring
3.33 of 5 stars 3.33 avg rating — 96 ratings — published 1993 — 2 editions
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The Last Days of Louisiana Red
3.6 of 5 stars 3.60 avg rating — 70 ratings — published 1974 — 4 editions
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From Totems to Hip-Hop: A M...
4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 avg rating — 89 ratings — published 2002 — 2 editions
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The Terrible Twos
3.59 of 5 stars 3.59 avg rating — 70 ratings — published 1990 — 7 editions
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Reckless Eyeballing
3.63 of 5 stars 3.63 avg rating — 49 ratings — published 1986 — 5 editions
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Blues City: A Walk in Oakland
3.35 of 5 stars 3.35 avg rating — 52 ratings — published 2003 — 6 editions
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“No one says a novel has to be one thing. It can be anything it wants to be, a vaudeville show, the six o’clock news, the mumblings of wild men saddled by demons.”
Ishmael Reed, Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down

“Dualism::In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man
I am outside of history. i wish i had some peanuts, it looks hungry there in the cage.
i am outside of history. its hungrier than i thot.”
Ishmael Reed, New and Collected Poems, 1964-2006

“Tea Party members go to meetings on Medicare scooters.”
Ishmael Reed

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
Challenge: 50 Books: Shibbie's 2010 37 134 Dec 12, 2010 08:39pm  
The Seasonal Read...: Spring Challenge 2011 Completed Tasks (DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS) 2898 730 May 31, 2011 09:01pm  
Reading with Style: Reading w/Style Completed Tasks - Spring 2011 931 162 May 31, 2011 09:15pm  
Literary Fiction ...: Coming Attractions - 2011 55 105 Dec 27, 2011 10:34pm  
College Students! : Fall/Winter 2011-2012: Task List (AND RULES) 33 153 Jan 09, 2012 01:39pm  
College Students! : * Spring/Summer 2012: Task List (AND RULES): 38 118 17 hours, 47 min ago  


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