- Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: GALLIMARD (19 Jun 1974)
- Language French
- ISBN-10: 207036965X
- ISBN-13: 978-2070369652
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 11 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 349,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
Richard Wright's memoir of his childhood as a young black boy in the American south of the 1920s and 30s sold more than half a million copies on first publication and is considered a classic of the genre.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
At four years of age, Richard Wright set fire to his home; at five his father deserted the family; by six Richard was - temporarily - an alcoholic. Moved from home to home, from brick tenement to orphanage, he had had, by the age of twelve, only one year's formal education. It was in saloons, railroad yards and streets that he learned the facts about life under white subjection, about fear, hunger and hatred. Gradually he learned to play Jim Crow in order to survive in a world of white hostility, secretly satisfying his craving for books and knowledge until the time came when he could follow his dream of justice and opportunity in the north.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Richard Wright's 'Black Boy' tells of Wright's childhood through to youth in early 1900s south America and his bitter struggle against abject poverty, the racial hatred of white people, a religion forced upon him that offered him neither solace nor faith and a family who didn't understand him. A powerful and raw autobiography that evokes every emotion from great sadness, fear and anger to love, compassion, trust and even humour. Tremendously well written - one of those books you'll find you won't be able to stop reading once you start - all the more moving for being a true and triumphant account of one boy's life.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Where to start? I am a very selective reader and mainly choose autobiographies. I was recommended to this book by someone I greatly respect. They were spot on.
It is very easy for all of us to take for granted the life we have. Some of us do not know how tough life can be. Richard Wright made me sit up and take notice. I was taken aback by this book and felt compelled to let everyone know that it is a fantastic insight of how bad life can be. Not only that, it also shows the inner strength to fight and come through the darkness, a stronger and better person.
I am not going to detail the stories within the book, I think it is for you to check it out. I was so impressed that I read it in just a day! It is witty, dark, thought provoking, sad and happy all rolled in to one. I promise you that you will not regret picking up this book, but will be disappointed when there are no more pages to read.
It is very easy for all of us to take for granted the life we have. Some of us do not know how tough life can be. Richard Wright made me sit up and take notice. I was taken aback by this book and felt compelled to let everyone know that it is a fantastic insight of how bad life can be. Not only that, it also shows the inner strength to fight and come through the darkness, a stronger and better person.
I am not going to detail the stories within the book, I think it is for you to check it out. I was so impressed that I read it in just a day! It is witty, dark, thought provoking, sad and happy all rolled in to one. I promise you that you will not regret picking up this book, but will be disappointed when there are no more pages to read.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Richard Wright's story of his life reads like a novel. Wright tells of the hardships he faced growing up in a racist society (South of the USA early 20th century). Although this is a very serious book, it has many humorous moments in it that lighten the mood. The work gives great insight into what it was like to be African American during the era Wright grew up in. This book is a must read.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The struggle to survive in the American South
Richard Wright's autobiography begins with his setting fire to his own house at age four, the result of a bored and fractious mood. And his troubles don't end there... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Scarficus
A must read
Published in 1945, the autobiography of Richard Wright Black Boy was originally going to be told in two parts. Read more
Published 6 months ago by J. Willis
Great read
I rarely revisit books I have read in the past but Richard Wright's style is captivating.
Black Boy was part of my reading list at university, but I would highly recommend... Read more
Black Boy was part of my reading list at university, but I would highly recommend... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sairah
Speedy delivery, great condition
One of my all time favourite books and so pleased to receive it so fast and in such pristine condition. Well recommended.
Published 20 months ago by Sairah
Biography of a black boy growing up in the deep South in the early...
I was encouraged to read this book along with Frederick Douglass's Narrative, by a US friend (a Professor of Drama and English Lit. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Alison
An Amazing Record
This book is more than an autobiography of a black kid doing well against all the odds, in first the southern states, then in the north. Read more
Published 23 months ago
Mind Boggling
I got this book from a friend and enjoyed it.
Story of a young black boy who is just confused about life and everything in general.
Story of a young black boy who is just confused about life and everything in general.
Published on 28 Jun 2007 by CK
Interesting read
Following the life of Richard and his family. Richard is different from the rest of the family because he doesn't beleive in God, and boy does he pay for it. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2001
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
