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Claude McKay, Rebel Sojourner in the Harlem Renaissance: A Biography
"Cooper paints a meticulous and absorbing portrait of McKay's restless artistic, intellectual, and political odyssey... The definitive biography on McKay."--Choice
Although recognized today as one of the genuine pioneers of black literature in this century--the author of "If We Must Die," Home to Harlem, Banana Bottom, and A Long Way from Home, among other works--Claude McKay (1890-1948) died penniless and almost forgotten in a Chicago hospital. In this masterly study, Wayne Cooper presents a fascinating, detailed account of McKay's complex, chaotic, and frequently contradictory life.
In his poetry and fiction, as well as in his political and social commentaries, McKay searched for a solid foundation for a valid black identity among the working-class cultures of the West Indies and the United States. He was an undeniably important predecessor to such younger writers of the Harlem Renaissance as Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen, and also to influential West Indian and African writers such as C. L. R. James and Aim� C�saire. Knowledge of his life adds important dimensions to our understanding of American radicalism, the expatriates of the 1920s, and American literature.
"Mr. Cooper's most original contribution is his careful and perceptive analysis of McKay's nonfiction writing, especially his social and political commentary, which often contained 'prophetic statements' on a range of important social, political, and historical issues."--New York Times Book Review
Although recognized today as one of the genuine pioneers of black literature in this century--the author of "If We Must Die," Home to Harlem, Banana Bottom, and A Long Way from Home, among other works--Claude McKay (1890-1948) died penniless and almost forgotten in a Chicago hospital. In this masterly study, Wayne Cooper presents a fascinating, detailed account of McKay's complex, chaotic, and frequently contradictory life.
In his poetry and fiction, as well as in his political and social commentaries, McKay searched for a solid foundation for a valid black identity among the working-class cultures of the West Indies and the United States. He was an undeniably important predecessor to such younger writers of the Harlem Renaissance as Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen, and also to influential West Indian and African writers such as C. L. R. James and Aim� C�saire. Knowledge of his life adds important dimensions to our understanding of American radicalism, the expatriates of the 1920s, and American literature.
"Mr. Cooper's most original contribution is his careful and perceptive analysis of McKay's nonfiction writing, especially his social and political commentary, which often contained 'prophetic statements' on a range of important social, political, and historical issues."--New York Times Book Review
456 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 19, 2020
I doubt there is a better biography of Claude McKay out there. This one is extremely thorough and is intended for people who want to know everything about this enigmatic writer. It took me many months to get through this book, but I did enjoy it and am very glad to have read it and learned so much more about McKay. The biographer paints what feels like a very accurate portrait of a complicated man living in difficult times.
It was written in the early 1980's, and I suspect there would have been more to say about McKay's sexuality and romantic life if the book was written today. Not that the biographer completely ignores it, but it feels as a reader that things are being left out to gloss over some of his relationships (with both men and women).
It was written in the early 1980's, and I suspect there would have been more to say about McKay's sexuality and romantic life if the book was written today. Not that the biographer completely ignores it, but it feels as a reader that things are being left out to gloss over some of his relationships (with both men and women).
November 11, 2012
Astonishingly thorough biography, yet also quite readable for a scholarly bio, and surprisingly, Cooper occasionally launches on inspired bouts of writing. Occasionally indulges in the biographer's pecadillo of the conditional mood, but on the whole, a solid book on an interesting subject
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews