Volume 3 collects the poems of the last period of Hughes's life. Montage of a Dream Deferred (1951) brilliantly fused the modernist dissonances of ...
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Feb 01, 2012
Roger
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In large part, Hughes’ literary stardom and continued contemporary appeal often allow him to epitomize the essence of the Harlem Renaissance poets. One of the most popular and well-known figures and voices of Harlem’s artistic era, Hughes’ accessible poetry makes his work relevant for use with both middle and high school students. His often anthologized poems have become trademark symbols of the African-American experience before the Civil Rights Movement. This volume brings together many of his
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Oct 11, 2011
Larry
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Selected Poems of Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, socialist, homosexual and columnist. He began writing poetry when he was a young teenager. His newspaper column ran for twenty years in the 1940s and 1950s. Hughes uses the rhythms of African American music, particularly blues and jazz in his poetry. Later in his life Langston Hughes was called the "Poet Laureate of the Negr More...
James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, socialist, homosexual and columnist. He began writing poetry when he was a young teenager. His newspaper column ran for twenty years in the 1940s and 1950s. Hughes uses the rhythms of African American music, particularly blues and jazz in his poetry. Later in his life Langston Hughes was called the "Poet Laureate of the Negr More...
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Sep 21, 2010
Ryan
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I have read so little poetry that I had to add "poetry" as a new Goodreads shelf. But Langston Hughes was a perfect solid introduction to poetry that I wasn't required to read by a teacher or professor. And seeing as I got married in a room called the Langston Hughes Room, I figured I should read a bit more of what he had to say. Fortunately, he had a lot of great things to tell the world.
He tackles the everyday with humor, insouciance, wit, and a twinkle in his eye:
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He tackles the everyday with humor, insouciance, wit, and a twinkle in his eye:
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Nov 13, 2011
KV
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So I bought this just tonight and figured I'd go through it at a leisurely pace, rolling the words around in my head, you know.
Yeah, not so much. Ate it in a few hours, and I'm going back through now to revisit and order my thoughts. There's not a lot I can say that hasn't been said -- this is beautiful, lyrical, heartwrenching, clever, funny, brutal stuff by turns (and sometimes all at once), and I can't get enough.
What a commentary that even the ones written about social More...
Yeah, not so much. Ate it in a few hours, and I'm going back through now to revisit and order my thoughts. There's not a lot I can say that hasn't been said -- this is beautiful, lyrical, heartwrenching, clever, funny, brutal stuff by turns (and sometimes all at once), and I can't get enough.
What a commentary that even the ones written about social More...
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Feb 26, 2009
Beth
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I am a huge lover of Langston Hughes' poetry. Despite the fact that I am a white woman who will never know the depths of racism African Americans had to endure in this country, I honestly feel like Hughes helped all those who weren't going through this plight understand and be sympathetic to the cause. His poetry makes me want to be a better person. It inspires tolerance and understanding.
This book was a fabulous collection of Hughes' work. There are so many great poems that I do More...
This book was a fabulous collection of Hughes' work. There are so many great poems that I do More...
Sep 11, 2011
Rob
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[What I read was a volume of a larger "complete works" set containing Langsgton Hughes' poems from 1920-1940. That isn't exactly the book I'm leaving the review on, but navigating all the collections for famous poets to get the right one is tedious enough for me to just stick it wherever, which is what's happening now.]
(8/10) Nestled in a forest of unpublished poems there's a fascinating gem that highlights both the effectiveness and the difficulty of Langston Hughes' poetry More...
(8/10) Nestled in a forest of unpublished poems there's a fascinating gem that highlights both the effectiveness and the difficulty of Langston Hughes' poetry More...
Apr 24, 2011
Karen
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There is a reason Langston Hughes is such a revered figure: he writes amazing stuff. Living most of his life under Jim Crow and discrimination (even in New York), he addresses racial equality but does so in an almost gentle manner. There is certainly a place for the righteous rage expressed by other black writers (think Richard Wright's Native Son) but it is the hope that draws me to Hughes' poems and essays. He believes that we WILL achieve freedom and equality for all and that the human spirit
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May 26, 2010
Al_norahughes
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Langston Hughes is witty and in touch with so many of the uses of the english language as to be tricky. (An entire section devoted to poems 'that's madam to you') And all of a sudden you turn the page and staring back at you is saddness and angst and anger. (Like the "negro speaks of rivers'). Hughes has captured something timeless- and has the ability to tell a story that exists today.
I would teach this in high school to both struggling readers and well read folks. An easy read- More...
I would teach this in high school to both struggling readers and well read folks. An easy read- More...
Apr 09, 2010
Kathe
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It hurts sometimes to read his poems, not because there's anything wrong with them, but because there's something wrong with the world. Too much hatred and anger that causes so many to suffer. But his poetry enriches my spirit, makes me believe that with enough freedom and respect, the world can change. I want to believe. And then, there's always the rhythm and soul of his musical tomes. "I've known rivers...."
May 18, 2011
Joe
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For me, too much of Hughes' poetry is short and empty. However there are some poems that have a bit more to them and are well done. These have very political and social themes that I do not personally enjoy, but I can see some of them as worth reading. Still, I give it 2 stars because this 300 page collection could have easily been cut down to 100 and not have been missing anything that had any weight to it.
Aug 06, 2009
Carol
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A personal favorite
I, Too
I, too, sing America
I am the darker brother
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well, And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed-
I, too, am America
I, Too
I, too, sing America
I am the darker brother
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well, And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed-
I, too, am America
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Apr 12, 2009
Temoca
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I don't love all the poems, but I love most of them and with such a large collection of his work, it's a good percentage that I enjoy. I have shared many of the poems in my class and my students know when they have to do the research paper for the social studies teacher, they can always pick Langston Hughes from his list and I become a good resource for them.
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Jul 12, 2011
Garrick
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Interesting style...plain and honest. Easy to read especially afterThe Anchor Anthology of French Poetry: From Nerval to Valery in English Translation.
Aug 30, 2009
Zadi
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Poetry sopped in blues and jazz. It's musical. The 297 pages swell from small pops to lyrical fireworks. Hughes is one of the poets who inspired my own poetry.
Favorites from the collection:
The Weary Blues, Strange Hurt, Trumpet Player, Song For a Dark Girl, Juke Box Love Song, Theme For English B, Georgia Dusk, Consider Me
Favorites from the collection:
The Weary Blues, Strange Hurt, Trumpet Player, Song For a Dark Girl, Juke Box Love Song, Theme For English B, Georgia Dusk, Consider Me
Jan 04, 2009
Ian
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Hughes is a great writer of the Harlem Renaissance. His poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" is one of my very favourite free verse poems. His politics (heavy duty early- mid-century socialist) and anti-racism is wonderful.
The empathy for the common person speaks so eloquently through his verses. great stuff!
The empathy for the common person speaks so eloquently through his verses. great stuff!
Jul 09, 2009
Wightknyte11
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I think what I like best about these poems is Hughes's voice. It is distinctive and tied to what the poems are expressing. Hughes's distinctive voice pervades the poems in topic, language, rhythm, arrangement, and sound. I really like how free the poems are from adornment and how crisp the images are.
Mar 14, 2011
've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
----
Let the rain kiss you, let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops, let the rain sing you a lullaby
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
----
Let the rain kiss you, let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops, let the rain sing you a lullaby
Mar 22, 2009
James
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His poetry is musical and touches every range of human emotion. Deeply inspiring and thoughtful this a treasured gem of a collection. A very talented and gifted writer and a must read for all with an affinity for poetic verse with meaning from the heart and soul.
Jan 30, 2012
Hayley
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Hell, no! It's time to talk back now!
History says it's time,
And the radio, too, foggy with propaganda
that says a mouthful
and don't mean half it says--
but is true anyhow:
LIBERTY!
FREEDOM!
DEMOCRACY!
True anyhow no matter how many
Liars use those words.
History says it's time,
And the radio, too, foggy with propaganda
that says a mouthful
and don't mean half it says--
but is true anyhow:
LIBERTY!
FREEDOM!
DEMOCRACY!
True anyhow no matter how many
Liars use those words.
Dec 11, 2011
Dayna
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A wonderful collection of poems by arguably the greatest African American poet ever. His poems do use some mild profanity and some slang that by today's standards is inappropriate, but the lyrical quality of his poetry is unmatched.
Mar 24, 2010
Greg
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Such a different tone and style, compared to any period. Almost like you can read a piece and close you eyes and imagine him delivering it from a pulpit, to me so many of the poems have that rhythm.
May 22, 2011
Eric
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Only reason I gave it 4 stars was because there's no entry for 4.5 stars. The only reason I didn't give it 5 was because of my own issues with poetry.
Mar 26, 2008
Andy
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Langston Hughes is what you get if Muddy Waters wrote prose and left out the music, because Hughes' poetry is steeped in the blues tradition. Here's a taste:
Good morning daddy ain't you heard? The boogie woogie rumble of a dream deferred.....I am a black Pierrot she did not love me, so I crept away into the night, and the night was black, too.....my old man's a white old man and my old mother's black, if ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back.
Some of the poe More...
Good morning daddy ain't you heard? The boogie woogie rumble of a dream deferred.....I am a black Pierrot she did not love me, so I crept away into the night, and the night was black, too.....my old man's a white old man and my old mother's black, if ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back.
Some of the poe More...
Apr 27, 2010
Shawn
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Analyzed many poems during undergrad from this book, Langston Hughes, one of my first vices!
Feb 05, 2009
Laura
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My favorite is Theme for an English B. I also love Good Morning, and Seascape.
Feb 09, 2012
Kristina_h
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It was really inspiring and moving. I got it on my nook and I love it! :D
Oct 02, 2009
RK
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i'm not a poetry man, but when it's done right, hey, how can you knock it?
