41 pages 1 hour read

James Weldon Johnson

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1912

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is a fictional memoir about a talented individual born to a Black mother and a white father after the Civil War who ultimately decides to live as a white man in the early 20th century. The protagonist navigates early life, racial identity, and aspirations in music, reflecting the complexities of race and culture. The novel includes graphic representations of racial violence, including lynching.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is celebrated for its compelling narrative and profound insights into race and identity in early 20th-century America. Reviewers praise its unique first-person perspective and literary style, though some critique its episodic structure and uneven pacing. The novel remains an essential, thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man?

A reader who would enjoy The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is interested in early 20th-century African American literature and narratives about racial identity. Fans of W. E. B. Du Bois' The Souls of Black Folk and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man will appreciate its exploration of race, culture, and identity in America.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

African American Literature

Topics

Race / Racism

Arts / Culture

Period

Harlem Renaissance

Themes

Values/Ideas: Art

Identity: Race