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A review by himpersonal
The Man Who Lived Underground: A Novel by Richard Wright
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
5.0
This book needs to be taught in every high school. I'm sure it's on the MAGA ban list, but all the more reason to read it. There are so many layers to it! I can already imagine all the papers I would assign and want to read from the brilliant students that would be in my class, had I been an English teacher.
Written in the 1940s, it's still relevant almost a century later. It's an unlikely book in today's time with all the video surveillance and controls in place against escape; I suppose it was also somewhat unlikely in the 40s, though I couldn't say since it was before my time. But I can also see how someone might have escaped back then, even if I can't imagine someone actually living in the sewers without getting sick.
I would say this is fairly representative of Richard Wright's other works too. If you are familiar with his other books, I think you'll appreciate the uniqueness of this book as well as the comfort of the familiarity of his other works. Themes of guilt and innocence, freedom, imposed identity, the point of it all, and finding release, among many others.
I would love to see this brought to film.
Written in the 1940s, it's still relevant almost a century later. It's an unlikely book in today's time with all the video surveillance and controls in place against escape; I suppose it was also somewhat unlikely in the 40s, though I couldn't say since it was before my time. But I can also see how someone might have escaped back then, even if I can't imagine someone actually living in the sewers without getting sick.
I would say this is fairly representative of Richard Wright's other works too. If you are familiar with his other books, I think you'll appreciate the uniqueness of this book as well as the comfort of the familiarity of his other works. Themes of guilt and innocence, freedom, imposed identity, the point of it all, and finding release, among many others.
I would love to see this brought to film.