Friday, January 10, 2025

Books and Movies

Reading


The first sentence of the introduction to The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man, which was published in 1912: “This vivid and startlingly new picture of conditions brought about by the race question in the United States makes no special plea for the Negro, but shows in a dispassionate, though sympathetic, manner conditions as they actually exist between the whites and blacks to-day.” 

The book is a fictional narrative of the life of one man, featuring his observations on what it meant over 100 years ago to be black both in the north and in the south (also in Paris and London). I was amazed at how many aspects of the “race question” have remained unchanged. Only the choice of words (“race question”) is different. So much is the same. The book vividly combines the specific events of one character’s life with insights about the way that being either black or white created a person’s opportunities and experiences. The protagonist/narrator is a black man who can pass for white, and thus experiences life from both points of view.

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was an author, a poet, a civil rights leader, and a participant in the Harlem Renaissance. His most famous poem is “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is viewed as the Black National Anthem. Johnson was the head of the NAACP from 1920-1930. His novel The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man is an American classic.


The latest Detective Galileo novel was a little disappointing to me. The plot wasn’t as interesting or as compelling and the suspense wasn’t as dramatic as in earlier novels in this series. If you are hooked on this series you can’t miss it!

Reading Next

The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier: a bestselling author whose books
 I have enjoyed reading


Watching

“A Haunting in Venice” stars Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot along with an all-star cast.
Creepy but a little too contrived.

 
The final episode of  “Vera” is very emotional and nostalgic, but with a good mystery to wrap up a great series. 

Blog post shared with Deb’s Sunday Salon
© 2025 mae sander

12 comments:

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I'm sorry Invisible Helix was a disappointment, and I hope the new Tracy Chevalier works for you. I have been very pleased with my reading so far this year. I focused on trying books that have been recommended to me, and ruthlessly and quickly cutting anything that isn't working for me. I've been on-the-go so much that I barely had time to scribble down a few thoughts, but I think things should slow down this week.

I tentatively plan to write more baking posts this year. And, to do so, I plan to do more baking.

Jeanie said...

You've watched all the Veras? I just saw the first of the new ones. Sigh. I'll miss those. I need to catch up on the most recent Shetland, too. The Chevalier looks good. I do have to add Galileo on the list, even if this one is a little disappointing.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I will miss the Vera series! I did enjoy the "A Haunting in Venice".
Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend.

Nicky said...

Hmm... Kenneth Branagh just doesn't read very "Poirot" to me. Not that I'm a huge Christie fan, but still...

Helen's Book Blog said...

I keep meaning to watch Vera so thank you for the reminder!

My name is Erika. said...

I just finished the Invisible Helix and I loved it. I think the suspense was who these women were and who dropped off the baby. But, the best thing about books is we're all entitled to like or dislike different things. :) Enjoy your weekend. hugs-Erika

Joy said...

I'm adding The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man by James Weldon Johnson to the list of books for my book group to consider.

Vicki said...

I haven't seen Vera, I may check it out.

Aj @ Read All The Things! said...

Someday I'll read a Tracy Chevalier book. I have some on my TBR. I hope you have a great week!

Becki said...

Love Kenneth Branagh's mustache :) The James Weldon Johnson book and poetry sound interesting - off to google some more. Thanks for sharing!

Marg said...

I need to get to that Tracy Chevalier book! One day!

Olivia Beck said...

The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man sounds very intriguing. I need to decide if I have the stomach for it because racism makes me so angry. On the other hand, I think it’s important to understand the experiences of my black brothers and sisters.