Invisible Man (Vintage International) Kindle Edition

With my being so finicky about the books I choose to read, I have relatively high expectations for what lies within each one. I've seen this book for awhile now, and on many recommended reads within Black Literature. With such a vague cover and an even more ambiguous title, I found myself constantly overlooking it without realizing that I had seen this book right in front of me time and time again, as I searched for my next enlightening piece of history. I realize now with the book being so inconspicuous, that the title itself is actually quite fitting.Prior to reading Invisible Man, I hadn't heard much about it. No recommendations or opinions from others. So there was no way for me to foresee the impact the story would have on me. No way to envisage how eventful and substantial this book would be. No way to anticipate the perspective given to me, from the author, of this black man in America. No way for me to expect the change made to MY perspective as a Black American. After experiencing this painful truth, there was no way I could have conceived that the very people in my life may be "Invisible," and that I myself am invisible as well.The protagonist did not expect to experience the harsh realities of his existence. More specifically, to experience a journey that he had not planned for, but had plans for him; to meet with a number of individuals that would alter his perspective on being black in a white country; not expecting to ultimately realize that he never accurately knew himself in the first place. The Invisible Man struggles to live in a world where people choose to see him as THEY want to see him, and not for who he truly is. I felt deeply connected with both the mental plight of the protagonist, and his lonesome walk of life.Author Ralph Ellison paints the most vivid picture of an incredible story. With it's outstanding descriptiveness, and incredible symbolism, this book is nothing short of a masterpiece. While it may be tough to grasp all of it's messages and comprehend each metaphor in one read, it's a page turning experience that unforgivably takes a hold of your emotions without ever letting go. This book is an essential read for a number of reasons, however, two of them strike me as the most palpable. The first being its accurate portrayal of racism in America. Ellison takes us inside the mind of the protagonist as he experiences and discovers hateful discrimination in many forms. As well as many perspectives on racism though multiple characters in the book. And second, though it goes without saying how well written and beautiful the novel is, I was astounded by the overall genius of Ellison's vision. With how meticulous and well crafted this work of art is, it came as no surprise when I learned that it took Ellison roughly seven years to complete this book. The ideas presented in this book, though written nearly 70 years ago, still resonate deeply in today's society. I consider myself fortunate to have graced its pages. Easily a 5 star book, and one of the best books I've ever read.

At some point in your education, you come across or cobble together a list of Great Books, titles that you're given to understand are long, ponderous, hard to read, but vaguely essential for the would-be civilized mind. If and when you brave any of the titles on that list, you find that MOBY DICK isn't about a nautical peg-leg, THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV isn't about brotherhood, THE HOUSE OF MIRTH is not a comedy — that in fact none of the Great Books is what you imagined, except in sheer greatness.INVISIBLE MAN is one of those books. You don't know what you are in for.The prose may be occasionally clumsy, the forays into dialect may feel dated, but no flaw you find can detract from the sublimity and power of what Ellison has to tell us, not only about the horror and tragedy of being Black in America, but too about the mortal impossibility of being human in this world we humans have made.INVISIBLE MAN feels it could have been dictated from the burning bush on Mount Horeb, so truthful, fearless and complete is what it achieves. It changed me. It will change you.

Compelling character development and prose. Feels dated at first until you realize - the dynamics are as modern and relevant as can be today and all the better understood thanks to the quality of the work

One of the best audiobooks I have listened to thanks to the voice the talented narrator gave to the characters!

Invisible Man is a powerful novel. Ellison created a well-developed main character to address the theme of finding one’s individual identity in a world of conformity and social expectations. The narrator is not actually invisible; he just feels that he is invisible because society refuses to look at him for who he really is. The author portrays the narrator with a detached nature to show that a person cannot be authentic or real with others telling him or her who they need to be. The prologue begins with the narrator talking about how he lives underground waiting to come forth at the right time with his identity. The rest of the story is explaining how he got to this point. In the beginning of the novel the narrator becomes enrolled at a prestigious university and takes a job driving the white trustee Mr. Norton around. He takes Mr. Norton to a black home in which the father Trueblood got his daughter pregnant. Mr. Norton faints after hearing the story and Dr. Bledsoe, the dean of the university, sends the narrator packing because the narrator has exposed Mr. Norton to an unacceptable life. The narrator, who feels that it is wrong to lie, is told to compromise his moral values, when Dr. Bledsoe says, “did you forget how to lie?” The narrator is then expelled from the university because he did not conform to the “right” way to act towards white men. He leaves to find a job in New York City. After witnessing a couple on the street being dispossessed, the narrator makes a passionate speech to the public. Jack, a member of the Brotherhood, an organization striving to bring about peace between whites and blacks, recognizes his talent for public speaking and recruits him for the team. Although the organization wants the narrator to use his gift for public speaking, they want him to do certain things such as move out of the current place he is living and change his name. This is part of the major theme of the book: expectation impedes individual identity. The narrator must follow the rules set about by the Brotherhood if he wants to be able to make his speeches. When the narrator stages a funeral for one of the deceased brothers, Clifton, the Brotherhood becomes angry because the narrator did not ask them first. This represents society’s controlling nature over the individual and his or her choices. As the novel continues, the narrator begins to recognize the Brotherhood’s regulatory expectations for him. It finally brings him to break from their rule to have individual judgement in his life. He chooses to go underground to “find his identity” and will reemerge when he’s confident that he knows how to govern himself without society’s influence. In the closing chapter of the novel, the narrator proves that he has defied the norm when he says, “I was pulled this way and that for longer than I can remember. And my problem was that I always tried to go in everyone's way but my own. I have also been called one thing and then another while no one really wished to hear what I called myself. So after years of trying to adopt the opinions of others I finally rebelled. I am an invisible man.” I admire how Ellison was able to make me feel so many different emotions towards each of the characters. I sympathized with the narrator’s struggles and the novel made me question my own expectations for others and myself. I think that this novel intended to show me that initial assumptions are not accurate and can easily be defied. This point is evident in many parts of the book, an example being “What was more, while black and bald and everything white folks poked fun at, he had achieved power and authority; had, while black and wrinkle-headed, made himself of more importance in the world than most Southern white men. This quote as well as the novel in general made me rethink my initial perceptions of people. Overall, I really enjoyed this book because of the message that it gave: society makes assumptions that impede individual identity.

recommended

The book arrived and I have no issues - lovely quality and great value too.

While it is about the African American experience in mid-20th century America, it is relatable to anyone anywhere who's ever felt invisible. And the jazz-like rhythm of the prose is a treat!

En este formato, la letra es muy pequeña.

Livraison rapide et parfait état du livre.