Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

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Product Details

Web ID: 15624111

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER , NATIONAL BESTSELLER , In this deeply compelling novel and epic milestone of American literature, a nameless narrator tells his story from the basement lair of the Invisible Man he imagines himself to be. He describes growing up in a Black community in the South, attending a Negro college from which he is expelled, moving to New York and becoming the chief spokesman of the Harlem branch of "the Brotherhood," before retreating amid violence and confusion. Originally published in 1952 as the first novel by a then unknown author, it remained on the bestseller list for sixteen weeks and established Ralph Ellison as one of the key writers of the century. The book is a passionate and witty tour de force of style, strongly influenced by T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, James Joyce, and Dostoevsky.

  • Product Features

    • Format- Paperback
    • Product dimensions- 4.9" W x 6.6" H x 0.7" D
    • Genre- Poetry
    • Publisher- Andrews McMeel Publishing, Publication date- 03-14-2023
    • Page count- 128
    • ISBN- 9781524878405

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Ratings & Reviews

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3 months ago
from Chapel Hill, NC

Invisible Man: A Powerful Story of Identity

Invisible Man is a deeply moving novel that explores identity, race, and the struggle to be seen as an individual. The unnamed narrator isn’t literally invisible, but he comes to understand that society only sees him as a role to be played, not as a person with his own thoughts and desires. Whether as a student, a worker, or a political figure, he is constantly defined by others and used for their own purposes. Though the story is centered on racism, it speaks to anyone who has ever felt unseen or pressured to fit into societal roles. The novel highlights the conflict between personal identity and collective expectations, set against a backdrop of corruption and broken promises. Thought-provoking and powerfully written, Invisible Man remains as relevant today as when it was first published. It challenges us to see beyond labels and recognize the humanity in everyone.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from Alexandria, VA

Themes and notable quotes

The four major themes of the book include: Identity: Throughout the novel, the narrator struggles with his identity as an African American man in a white-dominated society. He grapples with the societal expectations placed upon him and the constant pressure to conform to these expectations. Race and Racism: The narrator experiences firsthand the racism and discrimination faced by African Americans in the United States. He grapples with the impact of this racism on his identity and sense of self. Power Dynamics: The novel explores the power dynamics between different groups and how these power imbalances shape the lives of individuals. Individualism versus Collective Identity: The narrator struggles with the tension between his desire for individualism and the expectations placed upon him as a member of the African American community. Notable quotes from the novel include: "I am an invisible man. No, I am not a spook like those who haunted Edgar Allan Poe; nor am I one of your Hollywood-movie ectoplasms. I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids—and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me." "I am invisible, a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids—and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me." "I am not a machine, but an individual with my own feelings, thoughts, and decisions, and I have no intention of living my life in a way that denies this fact." "They see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination—indeed, everything and anything except me."

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

5 years ago
from B&N Home Office

Wonderfully Written- Highly Relevant to Today

I am not sure how I have missed Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison for so long, but I was pleasantly surprised by this piece of historical fiction. There are so many twists and turns for the main character, and the story is impossible to predict. Ellison does a masterful job of setting the scenes. Even minor characters and locales are described in vivid detail. Invisible man is worth a read. Enjoy!

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com