THE LANGSTON HUGHES READER

by Langston Hughes

This compilation of the writings of Langston Hughes is drawn from every category of his prodigious literary achievement. It combines highlights of the novels, stories, plays, poems, songs, and essays that have made him famous with many new writings that have never before been published in book form.Among the new selections are the complete libretto of his popular musical comedy Simply Heavenly, all of the text of his pageant The Glory of Negro History, a one-act play Soul Gone Home, and many other stories, poems, and children's lyrics. There are generous portions of his autobiographies, The Big Sea and I Wonder as I Wander, and of the incomparable Simple Simple Takes a Wife, Simple Speaks His Mind, and Simple Stakes a Claim.Langston Hughes is an unchallenged spokesman of African Americans. With art and wit, he has defined the place of Black Americans in all of the diverse forms of American literary expression. This comprehensive anthology is crowded from cover to cover with the characteristic scenes and sentiments that have established his commanding position in world literature.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, African American, Classics, American, Literature

Hardcover

First published April 17, 1958

About the author

Through poetry, prose, and drama, American writer James Langston Hughes made important contributions to the Harlem renaissance; his best-known works include Weary Blues (1926) and The Ways of White Folks (1934).

People best know this social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist James Mercer Langston Hughes, one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry, for his famous written work about the period, when "Harlem was in vogue."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langsto...

Reviews

[Sanjay Varma · Rating 3 out of 5]

In our post-Ferguson era, I became curious to read black writers. It is so common to present MLK and Malcom X as opposites, one an advocate of peace and cooperation between the races, and the other an advocate for independence and suspicion. But recently I'd heard a mention that in the pre-Civil Rights era there was an earlier pair of writers who were similarly opposed. Langston Hughes focused on the possibility of understanding and assimilation, while Richard Wright emphasized the separation and cruelty of race relations.

Among the stories in this collection, I read "Cora Unashamed" and "Slave On The Block." I loved one story from "Laughing to Keep from Crying," in which a white couple pretends to be black and gets several black intellectuals to relax and act comfortable. And the entire book of poems "Montage of a Dream Deferred" was like quicksilver, both weighty and delicate.

I found it interesting to see how Hughes positioned himself as a journalist/translator of black culture, aiming his work at both a white audience, and a global black intellectual audience. It seems to be a recurring theme among black writers in America, that they feel a compulsion to describe their experience in a way that whites will understand, even as they seek to find black voices who can respond in kind to their broadcasted call.

There are some recurring patterns that still play out today. For example, Hughes describes plantation life and scenarios, even though he never experienced that personally. Yet he felt a sense of ownership over a generalized black experience. Similarly, black musicians today refer to gangs and ghetto culture, even if they came from a middle class background. It raises interesting questions for me. As an Indian-American, I would like to write about Indian culture, even though I never experienced it. But then my audience would see me as a journalist/translator who brings the Indian experience to them. Would I be a pretender, in this situation?

[Patrick Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because, this:

To fling my arms wide
In some place of the sun,
To whirl and to dance
Till the white day is done.
Then rest at cool evening
Beneath a tall tree
While night comes on gently,
Dark like me-
That is my dream!

To fling my arms wide
In the face of the sun,
Dance! Whirl! Whirl!
Till the quick day is done.
Rest at pale evening...
A tall, slim tree...
Night coming tenderly
Black like me.

[Aaron Mac gafraidh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite thing in this collection is Montage of a Dream Deferred. It's a cycle that immerses you in the community of Harlem. A few poems in and the richness of black American linguistic register is easy on anyone's lips. This is a collection I will revisit frequently over my life.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2004 production of Simply Heavenly at Trafalgar Studio, London (seen twice) remains one of my most favoritist memories eeeeeeever.

[Stuart Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't get to finish the book but I do plan on checking in out again.

Mr Hughes stories are truly interesting to read.

[Alicia Beale · Rating 4 out of 5]

My uncle loaned this book to me and I never gave it back. He called a couple times about it.

[Cale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Langston Hughes is truly the Harlem Renaissance Man. This collection goes well beyond his poetry, including short stories, a musical, translation work, and sizable pieces of his autobiographies, all of which provide a much fuller view of the man's genius. I honestly skimmed through the poems - most I had read two or three times in the past few weeks, but I was utterly blown away by the autobiography section in particular. His stories about touring the South giving poetry readings captures the time and place in a very empathetic way, recognizing the challenges but focusing on the positives. In the same way is his recounting of visiting Madrid and Valencia during the Spanish Civil War, which was eye-opening and very compelling reading. I also found myself charmed by his section on poetry for children, how to present it and simple poems they can enjoy. And I'm fascinated by the idea of the songs he wrote - I'll have to track them down somewhere to hear it. That's the only weakness of the book - so much of it would be richer if it were presented audibly, although the medium obviously prevents that. Still so much of his work sings on the page that much of it felt like I did hear it as much as read it. This was definitely a work I'm glad I tracked down.

[Cynthia Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything by Langston Hughes is brilliant. I could read him over and over again! He is my first Love.

[Beau K Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man who inspired many journeys of my life and captured my feelings in words.

[Madel Mirabal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Langston Hughes rose up in the time of the Harlem renaissance, a time period into which the black community turned inward and began to develop its own music, poetry and cultural customs; pushed by the seen discrimination in America. Hughes was not only a brilliant writer but also a team participant; by cooperating with jazz writers to develop meaningful lyrics. His poetry and writings resembled a discrimination period, but also acknowledging the importance of other aspects of life. Hughes was able to paint with his writing very powerful messages, abstractly and eloquently; his poetry resembled a great deal of passion. When focusing on his writing Jazz as Communication, Hughes displays his full support for Jazz. He states that even though all the great musicians have communicated through jazz and received money for it. Money does not mark a problem for this great craft. In other words self-expression is not being compromised as these singers are also having fun and using meaningful lyrics through jazz. Hughes develops this notion of you being a dot in the middle of a circle; which means that jazz allows you to see all your surroundings and interpret it as you will. Like the none- linear affect; being two places at a time and having the opportunity to perceive multiple outcomes.
Hughes relates Rock and Roll to Jazz. Even though he points out that there on the same level “now”, ultimately in the future jazz will have a bigger/ more important impact on future generations.
I see the point Hughes tries to make with this writings, thanks to how clearly his wording is and how straight forward. I admire the passion he put into his work.
By: Madel

[Tisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

my brother bought this book for me for xmas one year, and I fell in love with Langston Hughes. This is a great collection of all his best works; short stores and poetry. I even used it as a basis for a speech in college.

[Ida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really just reading Montage of A Dream Deferred (again)

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to introduce or re-introduce yourself or others to the works of Langston Hughes.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of work by a eloquent writer.

[kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing my favorite poet