book data
241 ratings, 4.23 average rating, 26 reviews
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published
December 12th 1971
by Vintage
binding
Paperback, 248 pages
isbn
0394713044
(isbn13: 9780394713045)
description
In these acrid and poignant stories, Hughes depicted black people colliding--sometimes humorously, more often tragically--with whites in the 1920s and...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 324)
This book made me ache inside. Hughes is an excellent writer and his stories are like razor blades that draw fine little lines in your heart. You don't even realize you're bleeding until it's done.
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Read in November, 2008
This book is a definite must-read. I picked it up because I thought it had a funny name, and the leaps and bounds it took beyond my expectations have made me wonder how it has not won awards and how we are not all expected to read this book in school.
I admit that my common conclusion upon reading a famous author's short stories is: "genius." F. Scott Fitzgerald, Kurt Vonnegut - in many ways their short stories impressed me more than their full-length novels. I don't think I've ever...more
I admit that my common conclusion upon reading a famous author's short stories is: "genius." F. Scott Fitzgerald, Kurt Vonnegut - in many ways their short stories impressed me more than their full-length novels. I don't think I've ever...more
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Read in November, 2008
recommends it for:
folks who yammer on about the good old days
A return to Langston Hughes, but a darker tone this time around than the "Simple" stories I read earlier. Here Hughes writes of the toxic racism in America, and does so with uncluttered lyricism. Words that cut and soothe at once.
What were "the roaring 20s" to a Black man in America? Limited access. Averted eyes. Lynchings. Whites only. And on and on. This is the canvas Hughes paints upon.
And this excerpt doesn't have a thing to do with the stuff above, but I ...more
What were "the roaring 20s" to a Black man in America? Limited access. Averted eyes. Lynchings. Whites only. And on and on. This is the canvas Hughes paints upon.
And this excerpt doesn't have a thing to do with the stuff above, but I ...more
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Read in January, 2008
Beautifully written short stories that serve a slice of historical perspective to which I don't usually have access. Hughes' language is rich and detailed.
Hughes' depiction of white people is...unfavorable, ranging from condescending rich liberals fixated on the "primitive" expressions of those exotic dark people - to overt discrimination and brutality. Unsurprising, considering the racial climate of America in the 30's...and today. His depiction of black people is appreciative ...more
Hughes' depiction of white people is...unfavorable, ranging from condescending rich liberals fixated on the "primitive" expressions of those exotic dark people - to overt discrimination and brutality. Unsurprising, considering the racial climate of America in the 30's...and today. His depiction of black people is appreciative ...more
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Read in July, 2008
It would be tempting to dismiss the some of the racism in these stories as too explicit to be relevant--an artifact from another time and place--but to do so is to invite the blindness, privilege, and hubris that plagues the "white folks" of this book. Although race relations are less about lynchings than they were in Hughes' time, the misunderstandings and mistrust are the same.
This book is slight, the writing spare, but Hughes' poetic will punch you in the gut.
This book is slight, the writing spare, but Hughes' poetic will punch you in the gut.
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Read in January, 2008
Sad to say, I'd never read any essays or prose written by Langston Hughes before my book club selected this title. It's an easy read and I really enjoyed the short stories in the book. Excellent title to read to have a window into 1920s and 30s America, with all of its racial and historical complexities. And it was certainly a book that sparked a lot of discussion!
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Read in January, 2008
sad stories about racism, dealing not only with the southern u.s. and all its obvious hang-ups about race but also with the northern sates and those who would usually congratulate themselves on their kind-hearted open mindedness and benevolence when it comes to dealing with other races.
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Read in July, 2007
Great short stories about the strange codes and conventions of the south post civil war, pre civil rights. Nothing fancy about writing style, which surprised me, because Hughes is also a poet. All stories are slice of life type stuff, more often than not, ending tragically.
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Racists with Consciences
I think he is more known for his work in poetry, but I absolutely enjoyed reading through this piece. It gives you a different perspective of racism during the 1920s, and one that you know you can trust since it comes from a man who experienced such things first-hand.
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Probably the first collection of short stories I fell in love with. I lost my book at work one day and sent out a company-wide email asking had anyone seen it.
You might imagine their reaction. And no, it never turned up.
You might imagine their reaction. And no, it never turned up.
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"Only the Marxian students seemed sound to her for they, at least, wanted people to have enough to eat. But the rest of the controversies, as far as she could fathom, were based on air." -from "The Blues I'm Playing"
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Funny, sad, and introspective all at the same time...Ways of White Folks is a collection of stories about what happens when whites and blacks interact. Very interesting
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recommends it for:
Everyone
I recommend this powerful little book to anyone searching for insight on how things were, and even though they change, some things always remain the same.
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Read in December, 2003
Incredible and very hard to read. Reminded me of Flannery O'Connor in that it shows the horrible side of people and the sad part of life.
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Read in July, 2006
A study of priviliege and abuse. Stories seemingly should be viewed not as white v. black, but as the tyranny of any group against another.
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Read in January, 1994
I read this so long ago but I loved it. I think I would still like it now. Maybe I'll dig it up and give it another go.
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Read in August, 2006
recommends it for:
Fans of Harlem Reinaissance works
I can't say much except, it's Langston Hughes. I'd love to discuss the stories in a group setting.
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recommends it for:
those seeking social justice
I discovered that Langston Hughes wrote more than poetry with this book. Very good.
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recommends it for:
whoever
it gives my motivation, so just read this book and find your soul
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Read in February, 1995
I was reminded again of the genius of this most prolific writer!
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