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leotsch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
robertlashley's review against another edition
4.0
If the novel's cobbled-together posthumous design hinders Ralph Ellison's storytelling power by two levels, then they are two levels that only 5 novelists in the English language ever had. The story here, of the trickster turned preacher Reverend Hickman and Bliss Hickman/Adam Sunraider, the abandoned white child he raises that ends up being a segregationist senator, has so much substance. Their dynamic is so often breathtaking. Embodying the tenants of the word one minute, selling a con the next, Hickman is a startling melange of light and shadow. In showing Bliss's transformation into Adam Sunraider without cant, the author shows how seductively devastating white supremacy can be in a series of painfully tragic episodes. Yes, it doesn't compete with the bildungsroman supernova that is Invisible Man, but it is another reminder that Ellison was a literary supernova
mattleesharp's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard to even have an opinion on a book that is basically the introduction of the first book in a trilogy plus 80% of the second book plus some assembled notes on what the third might have tackled spiritually.
More than being a talented storyteller or a beautiful crafter of prose, Ralph Ellison succeeds at creating interesting characters. That really shines through. In such an incomplete work, the complexity of the people in it is really impressive. They are such a synthesis of human and symbol.
You always hear jokes about authorial intent, about high school english teachers on some bullshit about timely symbolism they've pulled out of novels. I think for Ralph Ellison (and maybe only Ralph Ellison) it is all completely true!
More than being a talented storyteller or a beautiful crafter of prose, Ralph Ellison succeeds at creating interesting characters. That really shines through. In such an incomplete work, the complexity of the people in it is really impressive. They are such a synthesis of human and symbol.
You always hear jokes about authorial intent, about high school english teachers on some bullshit about timely symbolism they've pulled out of novels. I think for Ralph Ellison (and maybe only Ralph Ellison) it is all completely true!
kmatthe2's review against another edition
5.0
How it took me this long to read this text, I don't know. Perhaps I was skeptical and worried that this cobbled together text wouldn't meet the high standard set by IM. But, I was blown away. Yes, I recognize that it is cobbled together, edited, etc., yet, the language is all RWE and the layers, oh the layers! Once again RWE layers many many traditions, histories, genres. Need to read it again.
emilyholladay's review against another edition
3.0
I am not really sure what I just read/listened to. The audiobook narration is the only thing that kept me engaged in this book, because Joe Morton was so amazing. The premise of the book is so strange, with the conversations happening as a “white” senator lays dying in a hospital room. I could see glimpses of what Ellison was getting at, but honestly found the notes at the end of the book more compelling than the story itself. I always hate it when I’m reading a book and I feel like I must not be smart enough to “get” what the author was trying to do, but that’s how I felt most of the time I read Juneteenth. I’m bummed, because I expected to really enjoy this novel.
jakennedy's review against another edition
4.0
Be sure to read the preface and introduction so you understand the story and significance of Ellison's book.
jzelman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mipa_jt's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
beardedbarista's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the intensity of this book but in the same moments felt it very difficult to track.
Luckily the audiobook had an excellent prologue and epilogue to explain Ellisons way of writing out this book and how it was formed posthumously. The book is not so much about Juneteenth as I thought it might be. To be honest this book tells so much of the black experience I will have to re listen and re read more to completely comprehend and appreciate it. As a first listen through though it was another important puzzle piece to understanding how truly different people of color were treated even in regards to higher stations such as ministers and reverends. Would love to break this book down with somone who knows the work better. But like most good reading this will be a ground work read and I will go back and explore more later on.
Thanks to PRHAudio for this complimentary audiobook!
Luckily the audiobook had an excellent prologue and epilogue to explain Ellisons way of writing out this book and how it was formed posthumously. The book is not so much about Juneteenth as I thought it might be. To be honest this book tells so much of the black experience I will have to re listen and re read more to completely comprehend and appreciate it. As a first listen through though it was another important puzzle piece to understanding how truly different people of color were treated even in regards to higher stations such as ministers and reverends. Would love to break this book down with somone who knows the work better. But like most good reading this will be a ground work read and I will go back and explore more later on.
Thanks to PRHAudio for this complimentary audiobook!