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Not Without Laughter
A shining star of the Harlem Renaissance movement, Langston Hughes is one of modern literature's most revered African American authors. Although best known for his poetry, Hughes produced in Not Without Laughter a powerful and pioneering classic novel.
This stirring coming-of-age tale unfolds in 1930s rural Kansas. A poignant portrait of African American family life in the early twentieth century, it follows the story of young Sandy Rogers as he grows from a boy to a man. We meet Sandy's mother, Annjee, who works as a housekeeper for a wealthy white family; his strong-willed grandmother, Hager; Jimboy, Sandy's father, who travels the country looking for work; Aunt Tempy, the social climber; and Aunt Harriet, the blues singer who has turned away from her faith.
A fascinating chronicle of a family's joys and hardships, Not Without Laughter is a vivid exploration of growing up and growing strong in a racially divided society. A rich and important work, it masterfully echoes the black American experience.
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Reviews
I was recommended this book by a friend and I haven’t read in mini mini years it was so good I couldn’t put it down
By getliferight
Not Without Laughter illustrates the complexities of black community through the experience of Sandy, as he navigates his young life. As a white man living almost all of my time among white people, I am unable to see for myself the varied personalities, motivations and interactions that run counter to the stereotypes that I was taught about black people. I’m also thankful for the ongoing portrayal of the complexity and power of systemic racism that the characters face every day, all day. The story goes beyond just a list of the many explicit and implicit forms of racism, and shows me something about what it’s like to live it.
By THTacoma
Not Without Laughter is more than a coming of age novel about a young African American boy growing up in the early 1900s. Hughes also gives glimpses into the lives of his grandmother, a washer woman, Aunt Hager who raises him; his aunt Hariette, wild, free and unyielding, as well as his love sick mother, Anjee who frets after her wayward husband who travels often and leaves her home months at a time. The author gives a wonderful glimpse into the life of this family, as well as their struggles, fears and hopes. It is a must read!
By ModelChic2000