The Before Columbus Foundation Fiction Anthology: Selections from the American Book Awards, 1980-1990

by Ishmael Reed (Editor), Kathryn Trueblood (Editor), Shawn Wong (Editor)

This anthology includes 30 selections from a decade of award-winning fiction. Since 1976 the Before Columbus Foundation has been devoted to the task of redefining our notion of "mainstream" American literature to reflect this country's multicultural, multi-ethnic richness and diversity. Since 1980 it has sponsored the American Book Awards.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

676 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the 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.

Reviews

[DC]

Some really good poems, some I didn't much care for. In general I enjoyed the mini biographies more than the poetry.

[Marlene]

This book has a couple chapter from each of this group's choices for the best books of the 1980s. Wow. Most of the selections were things I had never considered, never would have known about this group of people or that group of people, enduring those situations. Even for the groups of which I had some knowledge, the story added a lot more depth, detail, and understanding of them. The selections were often so deep and intense that I could not just go on to the next selection without a day or more rest, to remove myself from the story/characters/emotions.