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40th out of 115 books
—
47 voters
Home to Harlem
With sensual, often brutal accuracy, Claude McKay traces the parallel paths of two very different young men struggling to find their way through the suspicion and prejudice of American society. At the same time, this stark but moving story touches on the central themes of the Harlem Renaissance, including the urgent need for unity and identity among blacks.
Paperback, 360 pages
Published
November 30th 1987
by Northeastern University Press
(first published 1928)
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HOME TO HARLEM. (1928). Claude McKay. **.
This was one of the novels collected in The Library of America’s “Harlem Renaissance” collection. It was a best seller in the late 1920s and was reprinted several times over the years. It is a picaresque novel featuring Jake, a World War I veteran, who actually deserted his outfit in France to make his way to England and then to the U.S. Jake is kind of a run-of-the mill guy with no special talents for anything much other than hooking up with a variety o...more
This was one of the novels collected in The Library of America’s “Harlem Renaissance” collection. It was a best seller in the late 1920s and was reprinted several times over the years. It is a picaresque novel featuring Jake, a World War I veteran, who actually deserted his outfit in France to make his way to England and then to the U.S. Jake is kind of a run-of-the mill guy with no special talents for anything much other than hooking up with a variety o...more
McKay's Home to Harlem is, without a doubt, an under-appreciated classic of the Harlem Renaissance. While it lacks the fame of something like Their Eyes Were Watching God, Home to Harlem is a vital chronicle of the lives of low status blacks in the cultural Mecca of 1920s Harlem. McKay's protagonist, Jake, is, in some ways, the ideal representation of the common man of Harlem. Instead of living a life of privilege, Jake sponges off women, holds odd jobs, and generally shows himself to be a non-c...more
"He thrilled to Harlem."
"'Where else could a fellow git such good a cheap man clothes to cover his skin?'"
"'All the streets am just the same and all the houses 'like as peas. I could try this one heah or that one there but -- Rabbit foot! I didn't even git her name.'"
"Jake and Zeddy picked two girls from a green bench and waded into the hot soup."
"Tight faced, the men seemed interested only in drinking and gaming, while Suzy and Miss Curdy, guzzling hard, grew uglier."
"His life was a free coarse...more
"'Where else could a fellow git such good a cheap man clothes to cover his skin?'"
"'All the streets am just the same and all the houses 'like as peas. I could try this one heah or that one there but -- Rabbit foot! I didn't even git her name.'"
"Jake and Zeddy picked two girls from a green bench and waded into the hot soup."
"Tight faced, the men seemed interested only in drinking and gaming, while Suzy and Miss Curdy, guzzling hard, grew uglier."
"His life was a free coarse...more
McKay merits your time. Home to Harlem is a quick read with some compelling narratives. Of course, some interesting questions are raised as well. To those ends, there were parts that were tough to get through. I think McKay is being brutally honest here and this sincerity will contribute to that sinking feeling you'll get in your stomach when you realize that the Harlem Renaissance wasn't all jazz, gin, and poetry. The temper of the times and the conditions of the space are both brilliantly illu...more
1 like · like · see review
Black leaders of the period decried this work because they felt it presented African American males in a negative light. I read the author's comments and understand that he was depicting a certain type of man, a W.W. I vet who returned home to lead the dissolute life of a man kept by women. McKay presented a type of man, uneducated, no ambition, a rather lazy hedonist but perhaps indicative of some of the fellow he met during that post-war period. His characters speak in dialect, something I fou...more
It was somewhat entertaining, but that's because I'll read anything, not because I actually enjoyed it. It wasn't my kind of book, I must admit. The conclusion had not real closure, which bothered me. Although I loved the way people were depicted in a no-holds-barred fashion, and the degree to which the disturbing realism of the mental images he created had. But still, overall, the book left more to be desired, as most of the novel was very dry. I felt that I had to force myself to continue. Not...more
This book is a curious exploration of life during the Harlem Renaissance. The characters are smartly drawn, and the main character is fascinating to watch -- both for his spirited attitude and raging hubris. The only drawback is the dialogue; every line reads like an excerpt from a minstrel show, and it's difficult to say whether this is (a) how many Afro-Americans actually spoke in the 1920's, or (b) the language imitates Warner Bros. cartoons.
Jun 07, 2012
Cassandra
added it
It didn't seem so much like a novel but a snapshot of a period time. I did enjoy for the most part, even though I didn't always understand the motivations of the men and women. I am frustrated by some comments of the main protagonist, Jake, characterization of him as living off women, which he never did. It was definitely a free-wheeling man with the attitudes of the time, but he never "lived sweet".
Harlem during WW I. All the conversation is in dialect. Life in Harlem is vibrant, exciting, dangerous, jubilant, romantic and hard. Draws strong pictures of race relations, educational disparities, poverty, working conditions and the comfort of living with ones own kind. Includes a wonderful love story and some colorful love affairs.
Read this for class. My classmates hated it but I adored it for the TERRIBLY unacademic reason that I just liked following Jake around and watching his life. I found him a very likeable character and quite enjoyed seeing him go around the country and watching how he interacts with other people.
I could not put this book down. I meant to read only the first few chapters for class, but ended up reading the entire book in almost one sitting. The story was so good!
Don't we love that they've discovered McKay's lost novel and will be publishing it soon? Need to read this before the new one comes out. Also, love to read BlaQ authors...
+++
Sensuous, ribald, funny, humane. It's easy to see how McKay's portrayal of working-class blacks and their relationships ruffled the feathers of the black literary/political old guard at the time. This book would likely meet the same reaction if released today, without the benefit of being considered a classic. It's interesti...more
+++
Sensuous, ribald, funny, humane. It's easy to see how McKay's portrayal of working-class blacks and their relationships ruffled the feathers of the black literary/political old guard at the time. This book would likely meet the same reaction if released today, without the benefit of being considered a classic. It's interesti...more
Oct 16, 2009
Anitashari Peterson-Brown
is currently reading it
I am reading many Harlem Renaisannce Writers again to prepare for my upcoming anthology.
Real interesting book that flowed...
While not as flat-out genius as Banjo, still paints an exemplary and almost preternaturally vivid portrait of a fascinating time and place.
The dual narrative of Jake and Ray is great, but discussion of the race question gets in the way at times. This book is oozing with sex, and the characters are well formed and likeable.
The purpose of the book is that Jake does nothing. Just fyi.
i really enjoy mckay as a poet, but as a novelist, blech. this book was totally aimless, with no plot to speak of and some truly weak characters, especially the females. unlike some i didn't mind the grittiness, but compared to its contemporaries it just didn't add up to anything cohesive or insightful.
Claude McKay redefines blackness for the new negro movement of the early 20th century. This book has many layers and plays with the complexities of relationships, womanhood, and brotherhood. I'll read it again and again.
Another book from my college lit days. This from my Harlem Renaissance lit course. So very good. Succinctly yet beautifully written--really captures Harlem during that specific time. Really stands out in my mind.
the true predecessor to kerouac.
May 17, 2013
Mike Talley Jr
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Became an American Citizen in 1940. Died in Chicago, Illinois.
Borned in Jamaica, he moved to the USA in 1912, where he became a pivotal figure of the Harlem Renaissance.
More about Claude McKay...
Borned in Jamaica, he moved to the USA in 1912, where he became a pivotal figure of the Harlem Renaissance.
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Dec 05, 2012 08:56pm
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Thanks for your comment. Tony
Dec 06, 2012 02:18am