Invisible ManNATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this deeply compelling novel and epic milestone of American literature, a nameless narrator tells his story from the basement lair of the Invisible Man he imagines himself to be. One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years He describes growing up in a Black community in the South, attending a Negro college from which he is expelled, moving to New York and becoming the chief spokesman of the Harlem branch of "the Brotherhood," before retreating amid violence and confusion. Originally published in 1952 as the first novel by a then unknown author, it remained on the bestseller list for sixteen weeks and established Ralph Ellison as one of the key writers of the century. The book is a passionate and witty tour de force of style, strongly influenced by T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, James Joyce, and Dostoevsky. |
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ain’t asked Barrelhouse battle royal beneath Bledsoe boo’ful Brother Jack Brotherhood called campus can’t chair chitterlings cold couldn’t crowd damn dark doll door dream drink eyes face feeling fellow felt fight floor forward give glass Golden Day hadn’t Hambro hand happened Harlem he’s head hear heard hell hurried I’ve inside invisible John Brown’s body Kimbro knew laughed leave Let’s light listen looked mahn man’s mean mind moved Negro never night Norton Perhaps Ralph Ellison remember Rinehart Sambo seemed shouted smile someone sound Sparland speech stared started stood stop street suddenly Supercargo talk tell there’s they’re things thought Tod Clifton told tried trolley rails trying turned voice waiting walk wasn’t watched we’re What’s white folks woman words y’all yelled you’ll you’re young