Reviews

The Ways of White Folks by Langston Hughes

bea_reads78's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

4.75

Genius writing. Each story devastating in its own way. Remains culturally relevant 90 years after first publication

sawthisdidthat's review against another edition

4.0

Hard to say I “liked” it since the stories are so heartbreaking but it’s a very powerful collection. Out of the several short stories, Cora Unashamed, poor little black fellow, and Father and Son stand out the most. Lots of white saviourism throughout. Definitely recommend.

paigereitz's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

2.5

jesskco's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

kevin_shepherd's review against another edition

5.0

Here are fourteen short stories that throw light on that ominous intersection of Black and White. Langston Hughes wrote with amazing clarity and purpose. His absorbing fiction reveals the abhorrent realities of the Jim Crow South and reanimates a shameful era of history that none of us should ever, ever forget.

spayscue's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

4.5

leantoinettte's review against another edition

fast-paced

5.0

m00nlightmusings's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

bex0's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

rebcamuse's review against another edition

5.0

These may be short stories, but they are not short reads--nor should they be. Langston Hughes gives us a multi-dimensional look at racism through vivid characterization and writing that can be both acidic and tender. "Slave on the Block" looks at fetishization. "Home" and "The Blues I'm playing" should be required reading for music students--especially those studying the classical tradition. The final and longest story, "Father and Son" exposes the workings of classism and colorism, and is one of the most powerful short stories I have ever read. Throughout the book, questions of "home" and what that means seem to surface time and time again. This is one of the most important short story collections of the twentieth century, and is an essential inroad to understanding race relations in the U.S.