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A review by mickstrauther
The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man by James Weldon Johnson, Arna Bontemps
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Solid book, great pacing, and I love a good retrospective POV. For me, the writing is the strength of this short and quick novel. James Weldon Johnson is one of those writers who can describe relatively mundane things with such rhythm and introspection that it’s interesting; it comes in handy with a book like this, where the story is just the tale of a man’s life—nothing too crazy, nothing spectacular. Yet, I was invested in the narrative and the protagonist’s decisions regardless. At various points, I was frustrated with him, proud of him, disappointed in him, rooting for him. In this way, he feels like a very real person, if incredibly flawed.
I don’t know if the novel says anything groundbreaking about race and passing as white; there were strong moments philosophizing on the matter, but I don’t think the overall effect is one of awe or novelty. In fact, there are many times where the protagonist’s feelings about blackness are flawed and annoyingly superficial. Then again, I don’t necessarily find it problematic; if anything, they are character flaws that we as readers can discuss and pick apart.
As a black American reader myself, I was more interested in the decisions and psyche behind someone passing for white. It’s especially helpful because I’m currently writing a book about the same thing. That’s what this is; a slice of life, at the end of the day, about one man’s thoughts and decisions. While I do think Johnson could have fleshed out a little more of the ending, it’s a quick and solid read. It’s one of those books where it’s more about the journey than the destination.
I don’t know if the novel says anything groundbreaking about race and passing as white; there were strong moments philosophizing on the matter, but I don’t think the overall effect is one of awe or novelty. In fact, there are many times where the protagonist’s feelings about blackness are flawed and annoyingly superficial. Then again, I don’t necessarily find it problematic; if anything, they are character flaws that we as readers can discuss and pick apart.
As a black American reader myself, I was more interested in the decisions and psyche behind someone passing for white. It’s especially helpful because I’m currently writing a book about the same thing. That’s what this is; a slice of life, at the end of the day, about one man’s thoughts and decisions. While I do think Johnson could have fleshed out a little more of the ending, it’s a quick and solid read. It’s one of those books where it’s more about the journey than the destination.