Vidnet (1953)

Pages and pages of insufferable, abstracted pontification deposited in the mouths of stiff philosopher-avatars. Pedantic, which is bad enough, but sophomoric pedantry is worse. Only vanity could have convinced Wright he was onto something worthy of 600 pages. ( )

It is hard to look at the books of Richard Wright without considering the racial tension surrounding the time of publication and setting. But objectively, without bothering about the author's background, his books are masterpieces. They are bold, daring, tragic, powerful, intricate, deep and profound. Ascribe any adjective you like, but there is no substitution for immersing yourself in The Outsider or Native Son. Don't forget his short stories either. I put Richard Wright on the level of Dostoyevsky. So why isn't he read in high school English classes? Why isn't he anthologized as often as James Baldwin or even paltry Kurt Vonnegut? Sure, his themes and method are controversial. The things his characters say might send a shiver down your spine every once in a while. But I guarantee you will never forget this book. Don't be intimidated by its size. It is nothing like Henry James or even Dreiser. Wright writes simply, without tiptoeing around. If you can read a newspaper, you can read this book. But that doesn't stop him from ploughing headlong into immense abysses of existentialism. If you don't believe me, read his incredible short story called "Big Black Good Man." This was my first introduction to Wright, and I still think it's a great taste of what he can do. ( )

I unfortunately read this at a time when it must have been incomprehensible. Dewed with youth, affecting an angst and still noshing fast food while often remaining awake for 24 hours at a clip. I only recall two episodes: the queue for the train and the encounter (molestation?) and the final slugfest of the ideologues. Perhaps my latest trek will lead me back to this door. ( )

Oltreoceano è considerato un Classico. Ed è proprio così!
Se la gioca con Dostoevskij (il romanzo rimanda a Delitto e castigo e a I demoni, ma qui "Raskol'nikov" gioca a flipper, ascolta hot jazz e si muove nel rigido inverno di Chicago e New York).
Un signor romanzo filosofico che tratta di nichilismo, comunismo (a proposito, la disciplina di Partito dei bolscevichi americani anni '50 era ferrea come nel PCUS!), razzismo, religione, tutte tematiche che vengono sviscerate grazie all'affilatissima prosa di Wright che, non contento, tratteggia anche un protagonista e un antagonista e il tipo del Comunista con grande cura e verosimiglianza.
L'outsider del titolo originale è Cross Damon, afroamericano in un'America anglosassone di cui non è parte integrante e di cui non avrebbe assimilato i valori...
- Evviva le Meduse Mondadori! - ( )

The Outsider is a wonderful book by the skilled black American writer, Richard Wright. Native Son his is best book and is a must read. Wright was born in the south and moved to Chicago as an adult. He was looking to escape the segregated south and was amazed to see the integration in Chicago. Richard became a Communist. His years with and after Communism dominate this book. The story is good but would be much better without the long stream of consciousness interludes and the long philosophical introspections which impede the flow of the story. He struggles with Communism, resigns from the party but is still very much involved with it and its members. If you want to know what life was like in the 1930s, 40s and early 50s for a black man you will find out here and it isn't pretty. ( )