"The tragedy of her life was that she was too black," declares the narrator at the start of this powerful novel of intraracial prejudice. Emma Lou Morgan lives in a world of scorn and shame, not because her skin is black, but because it's too black. No one among her family, teachers, and frien... read more
Customers who bought this book also bought:
Our Editors also recommend:
Passing by Nella Larsen Married to a successful physician and prominently ensconced in society, Irene Redfield leads a charmed existence — until a chance encounter with a childhood friend who has been "passing for white."
Quicksand by Nella Larsen Brave, bold, and brilliant, Larsen's autobiographical portrait of a biracial woman's quest for self-identity and acceptance offers a cautionary tale of an individual lost between two cultures.
Brown Girl, Brownstones by Paule Marshall Set in Brooklyn during the Depression and World War II, this 1953 coming-of-age novel centers on the daughter of Barbadian immigrants. "Passionate, compelling." — Saturday Review. "Remarkable for its courage." — The New Yorker.
Iola Leroy, or, Shadows Uplifted by Frances E. W. Harper This 1892 work was among the first novels published by an African-American woman. Its striking portrait of life during the Civil War and Reconstruction recounts a mixed-race woman's devotion to uplifting the black community.
The Sport of the Gods by Paul Laurence Dunbar A landmark in African-American literature, this powerful novel was among the first realistic depictions of ghetto life. Its portrayal of the black community's social and political issues continues to resonate today.
Three Great African-American Novels: The Heroic Slave, Clotel and Our Nig by Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown, Harriet E. Wilson Three powerful African-American classics of strength and determination include The Heroic Slave, Frederick Douglass's piercing tale of a slave ship rebellion, plus Clotel by William Wells Brown, and Our Nig by Harriet E. Wilson.
Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes Poet Langston Hughes' only novel, a coming-of-age tale that unfolds amid an African-American family in rural Kansas, explores the dilemmas of life in a racially divided society.
The House Behind the Cedars by Charles W. Chesnutt Originally published in 1900, this groundbreaking novel by a distinguished African-American author recounts the drama of a brother and sister who "pass for white" during the dangerous days of Reconstruction.
The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt A landmark in the history of African-American fiction, this gripping 1901 novel unfolds against the backdrop of the post-Reconstruction South, climaxing in a race riot based on an actual 1898 incident.
Tales of Conjure and The Color Line: 10 Stories by Charles Waddell Chesnutt Ten wonderful stories by pioneer of African-American fiction: "The Goophered Grapevine," "Po' Sandy," "Sis' Becky's Pickaninny," "The Wife of His Youth," "Dave's Neckliss," "The Passing of Grandison," more. Witty, charming, insightful.
African-American Poetry: An Anthology, 1773-1927 by Joan R. Sherman Rich selection of 74 poems ranging from religious and moral verse of Phillis Wheatley Peters (ca. 1753–1784) to 20th-century work of Countee Cullen, James Weldon Johnson, and Langston Hughes. Introduction. Includes 4 selections from the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
Narrative of Sojourner Truth by Sojourner Truth First published in 1850, this inspiring memoir by the famous African-American abolitionist and champion of women's rights tells of her life in slavery, her self-liberation, and her tireless campaign for racial and sexual equality.
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson African-American writer's pioneering novel parallels his own life, probes the psychological aspects of "passing for white," and examines the American caste and class system. Major contribution to American literature.
The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois This landmark in the literature of black protest eloquently affirms that it is beneath the dignity of a human being to beg for those rights that belong inherently to all mankind.
Black No More by George S. Schuyler A satirical approach to debunking the myths of white supremacy and racial purity, this 1931 novel recounts the consequences of a mysterious scientific process that transforms black people into whites.
Product Description:
"The tragedy of her life was that she was too black," declares the narrator at the start of this powerful novel of intraracial prejudice. Emma Lou Morgan lives in a world of scorn and shame, not because her skin is black, but because it's too black. No one among her family, teachers, and friends has a word of consolation or hope for the despised and rejected girl. With nothing to lose, eighteen-year-old Emma Lou leaves her home in Idaho, seeking love and acceptance on a journey that ultimately leads her to the legendary community of the Harlem Renaissance. A source of controversy upon its 1929 publication, The Blacker the Berry was the first novel to openly address color prejudice among black Americans. Author Wallace Thurman, an active member of the Harlem Renaissance, vividly recaptures the era's mood and spirit. His portrait of a young woman adrift in the city forms an enduringly relevant reflection of the search for racial, sexual, and cultural identity.
Reprint of the Macauley Company, New York, 1912 edition.
This book was printed in the United States of America.
Dover books are made to last a lifetime. Our US book-manufacturing partners produce the highest quality books in the world and they create jobs for our fellow citizens. Manufacturing in the United States also ensures that our books are printed in an environmentally friendly fashion, on paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.
