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emgusk's review
5.0
I loved this book. Honestly, I can't believe I hadn't read it yet! Langston Hughes is a wonderful writer who led a fascinating life and this book is a great way to learn about not just the man, but the times in which he lived. So much of what he writes about remains relevant today. We can all learn from this remarkable man and his thoroughly enjoyable autobiography of his early life.
aconcisehistory's review against another edition
5.0
beautifully, addictively written. he doesn't shy away from telling you all the ways that he has been a coward, an asshole, and a (diasporic) failure - so that's something. i think i was most surprised to find that he only started writing poetry because his all white grade school class had to elect a 'class poet' so they chose langston because they thought negroes have rhythm.
staycee_franklyn's review
5.0
In complete awe of Mr. Hughes. Such a beautiful soul, with a compelling story.
sujata's review
5.0
I so enjoyed this. I've had a long history of trouble reading poems, although the few poems by Hughes I've read, I do like. I decided to read his autobiography and it was great. I loved his sense of "I'll go anywhere, with no plans or money" whether Africa, or genoa, or New Orleans" - his voice was wonderful, and I thought, how much of what he observed was still true today. Really great. And this New York Times review of it from 1940 is also interesting. https://www.nytimes.com/books/01/04/22/specials/hughes-sea.html
sarahfish_30's review
3.0
It‘s a credit to the wild and eventful life Langston Hughes had lived, for the poet to be asked to already write an autobiography, still in his thirties. Hughes tells of his early life as a curious young man, taking up work as a seaman on merchant ships to Africa, Havana and Europe, working as a waiter in the Black concert halls of Paris and finding his poetic voice while mingling with the literati and other cultural icons of the Harlem Renaissance.
bogbodyanon's review against another edition
5.0
Really interesting read if you want to know more about Langston Hughes and how his most famous works came to be
tesch18's review
4.0
Read Part III to great delight and insight. I'd like to read more of Hughes's prose -- it's different but just as engaging as his poetry.