A review by chaetrain
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin

challenging reflective tense medium-paced

4.25

split into 3 sections- the first cultural criticism, the second more memoir about harlem, and the third memoir and analysis about living in paris/europe as a Black man. decent cultural criticism, thoughtful analysis, hardcore hater energy in the best way, and otherwise good. i thought his reflections on native son were good but a little unfair, and recollections about his brothers were also standouts. i loved his autobiographical notes but the real standout is the titular essay about his dad. so devastating and stunning on its own omg one of the best essays i’ve ever read that it pushes this collection to excellent.