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The Big Sea

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Langston Hughes' autobiography 'The Big Sea' details his personal journey through troubled times, highlighting his struggles, influences, and passions. The book delves into the trials and tribulations he faced, particularly during the Harlem Renaissance period, showcasing his strength and resilience. Hughes' prose is described as endearing, providing insights into his life experiences and the challenges he overcame as a black writer in America.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by vibrant and engaging prose, with each chapter structured like a short story, enhancing the reader's experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative chronicles key events from Hughes' life, exploring his journey of self-discovery, societal identity, and significant experiences in various locations.

Setting:

The setting spans various locations, including America, Mexico, Europe, and Africa, while capturing the essence of the Harlem Renaissance.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast, with engaging chapters that maintain reader interest, making it a compelling read.
Melodramatic maybe, it seems to me now. But then it was like throwing a million bricks out of my heart when I threw the books into the water. I leaned over the rail of the S.S. Malone and threw the bo...

Notes:

Langston Hughes wrote his autobiography, The Big Sea, over 50 years ago, capturing his life experiences.
The book offers a glimpse into the life of an iconic American poet, while keeping personal details somewhat sanitized.
Hughes spent years trying to find himself and his place in society, influenced by both struggles and adventures.
His writing was inspired more by challenging times than by positive experiences.
He had experiences abroad in places like Mexico, Europe, and Africa, which far exceeded expectations for a young Black man of his day.
The memoir is structured like short stories, with each chapter having a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Readers gain insight into what it was like to be a Black man in America and abroad during his lifetime.
Hughes emphasized his working-class background and shared fascinating details about the Harlem Renaissance.
His experiences with racism and racial respect resonate with readers, showing ongoing struggles for equality.
The book offers vivid imagery and describes the cultural dynamics of different places he visited.
Hughes's account of the Harlem Renaissance showcases not only his artistic journey but also larger themes of racial identity.
The memoir has been recommended for high school reading and discussions about racial issues and personal growth.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes related to racism and social injustice, which may be triggering for some readers.

From The Publisher:

Introduction by Arnold Rampersad.

Langston Hughes, born in 1902, came of age early in the 1920s. In The Big Sea he recounts those memorable years in the two great playgrounds of the decade-Harlem and Paris. In Paris he was a cook and waiter in nightclubs. He knew the musicians and dancers, the drunks and dope fiends. In Harlem he was a rising young poet-at the center of the "Harlem Renaissance."

Arnold Rampersad writes in his incisive new introduction to The Big Sea, an American classic: "This is American writing at its best-simpler than Hemingway; as simple and direct as that of another Missouri-born writer...Mark Twain."

About the Author:

Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, went to Cleveland, Ohio, lived for a number of years in Chicago, and long resided in New York City's Harlem. He graduated from Lincoln University in 1929 and was awarded an honorary Litt. D. in 1943. He was perhaps best known as a poet and the creator of Simple, but he also wrote novels, biography, history, plays (several of them Broadway hits), and children's books, and he edited several anthologies. Mr. Hughes died in 1967.

Arnold Rampersad, author of the widely acclaimed biography The Life of Langston Hughes, is Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature and director of American Studies at Princeton University.

 
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