A review by mermaidstreet
Native Son by Richard Wright

5.0

I'm still not sure that my grasp on this book is the correct one. I read it in a social protest literature class, and I felt that our professor (as they often do) hung back and gently guided us in discussing this book, but the discussions and commentary proffered by she and my fellow classmates were brilliant. I think of this book often. I think it is important. Every time I see news of a black person killed, and the subsequent commentary on that person's life is either defensive (he/she was law-abiding, respectful, etc.) or attacking (she/he was a criminal, armed, etc.) my mind springs to this book and to Bigger. I also like to think about the push and pull in this book of autonomy - of how society shapes us and where that starts and stops with who we are and the choices we make. Also, I believe that Richard Wright, in writing this book, said he wanted to write a book at which no one could cry. I think he succeeded. We studied this book in contrast to Uncle Tom's Cabin, which uses sentimentalism to be effective (or, effective back in the day, at least) and I think the difference is really powerful. The use of sentimentalism provides so much food for thought, especially when I see so many movies (more so than books nowadays) that rely upon it. Would invite a first-time reader to ponder the same.

Perhaps my professor could offer my class no final, perfect conclusion to this book because there are no answers to those questions. I continue to think about them. Please read this book.