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.
Reading Next
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| The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier: a bestselling author whose books I have enjoyed reading |
Watching
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“A Haunting in Venice” stars Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot along with an all-star cast. Creepy but a little too contrived. |
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| 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
13 comments:
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.
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.
Hello,
I will miss the Vera series! I did enjoy the "A Haunting in Venice".
Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend.
Hmm... Kenneth Branagh just doesn't read very "Poirot" to me. Not that I'm a huge Christie fan, but still...
I keep meaning to watch Vera so thank you for the reminder!
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
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.
I haven't seen Vera, I may check it out.
Someday I'll read a Tracy Chevalier book. I have some on my TBR. I hope you have a great week!
Love Kenneth Branagh's mustache :) The James Weldon Johnson book and poetry sound interesting - off to google some more. Thanks for sharing!
I need to get to that Tracy Chevalier book! One day!
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.
I watched the last Vera last night. I thought it was well down. I really liked how they connected it to the start of the series and her early life.
The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man sounds like a fascinating, if somewhat depressing, read. How can not have come any further?
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