Status
Call number
Genres
Publication
Description
Classic Literature. Fiction. HTML: A shining star of the Harlem Renaissance movement, Langston Hughes is one of modern literature's most revered African-American authors. Although best known for his poetry, Hughes produced in Not Without Laughter a powerful and pioneering classic novel. This stirring coming-of-age tale unfolds in 1930s rural Kansas. A poignant portrait of African-American family life in the early twentieth century, it follows the story of young Sandy Rogers as he grows from a boy to a man. We meet Sandy's mother, Annjee, who works as a housekeeper for a wealthy white family; his strong-willed grandmother, Hager; Jimboy, Sandy's father, who travels the country looking for work; Aunt Tempy, the social climber; and Aunt Harriet, the blues singer who has turned away from her faith. A fascinating chronicle of a family's joys and hardships, Not Without Laughter is a vivid exploration of growing up and growing strong in a racially divided society. A rich and important work, it masterfully echoes the black American experience..… (more)
User reviews
Life is hard but folks keep their spirits up: the older blacks turn to church and acceptance, the younger vent by rebelliously dancing and drinking all night. Sandy learns the good, bad and the in-between in both whites and blacks. He sees the beauty of the black spirit in all its forms, and how education will bring change and equality.
Hughes’ first novel is a testament to his range of writing skill. Adept at capturing mood, conveying feelings; he plays language more brilliantly than Jimboy plays guitar.
Unassumingly beautiful and powerful!
It is the coming-of-age story of an Africa American boy in Kansas during the early Twentieth Century. Since I'm not African American, I don't really know what that experience
This novel has a lot of heart, and there also seems to be a certain rhythm to the writing which I loved.