Reviews

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

alisynamant's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

keen's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Police brutality, Rape, and Incest

Minor: Medical content, Sexual assault, and Slavery

the_eucologist's review against another edition

4.0

Really enjoyed it. Plan on reading it again, though (and soon), as it isn't the kind of novel that lends itself to the 'fits and starts' schedule of reading. Will also need to check out more by Ellison as this is my first read-through of his material.

kimvanness's review against another edition

5.0

My favorite modern American novel. You may already have read, or been required to read, an excerpt from this book, usually titled "Battle Royale." I strongly urge you to read the rest of the work. Brilliant.

greesman's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

abbydavis's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hbbw's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I really liked this book and I think I’d like it more if I hadn’t read it for school. I’ll definitely have to read it again, some parts were confusing and generally I think theres benefit to reading the book a second time after reading the ending. The only thing is out of no where theres some sexism and this one line which was crazy and baffling but besides that it’s really amazing.

swan_sama's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

2.0

This was a drag to get through. A lot of good points overshadowed by length

kdtoverbooked's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I understand how this is a classic American fiction novel and I’m glad that he wrote it for so many people because I am sure it was a revolutionary book at its time. With all we know now, it felt a bit redundant to me. However, I always find it illuminating to put myself in the shoes of someone who has such a vastly different life from myself. 

peebee's review against another edition

5.0

Awesome book, made better by the sub-literate highlighting covering every page. Like 85% of the book was highlit, which defeats the purpose somewhat.

My favorite?

"That's all young man." his tone abrupt, official. "You have two days in which to close your affairs."
"Two days?"
"Two days!" he said.

Highlit, and bracketed, with an arrow to the bracket with the phrase "out in 2 days". That must've been a long slow read, whoever it was.