Native Son by Richard Wright (Book Two: Flight)

A discussion around the second part of Native Son.
Warning: this section of the book contains a sexual assault and a murder.
My discussion of Book One: Fear from Native Son: • Native Son by Richard ...
Book Three: Fate: • Native Son by Richard ...
Recommended if you like:
“The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe
Tamurlaine or The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin: • Notes of a Native Son ...
Shadow and Act by Ralph Ellison, my discussion: • Shadow and Act by Ralp...
The Real Cool Killers by Chester Himes, my discussion: • The Real Cool Killers ...
#booktube
#nativeson
#richardwright

[@JnikaJ]

Flight was absolutely emotionally mentally physically riveting. Angering. Confusing. Disgusting. I was sent spiraling almost to tears. I had to stop. But the book down for several days before continuing. Wright is a genius. I also have to note - the use of the snow storm the all encompassing “white ness” was also soo good. I absolutely loved it. The way Bessie was used discarded and he doesn’t care or think of her that much afterward... the commentary on how Black women are used and discarded continually and are “invisible” in the face of it all... whew so good. And the furnace! The droning groaning never ending fire ... damn!! I will be continuing with the entire body of Wrights work.

[@DebMcDonald]

Thanks for doing this. I read it years ago but didn’t study it or discuss it. You are bringing up things I hadn’t considered. I am fascinated with the Leopold and Loeb connection. The Rope...chilling! Deb

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

Deborah McDonald Thank you, it had been almost ten years for me and so much has shifted in my thinking around Native Son. A Rope reference! I haven’t thought about that film in a long time, and everything John Fall’s character explicated is so menacing. I hope your week starts well. Best, Jack

[@RovingReader]

I want to reread this! I read it as a kid and I learned a LOT- I was super sheltered and there was a lot I didn’t know.

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

Karen Evans I didn’t read this until my 20s. My father had me read the autobiographies of Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and Malcolm X when I was younger, so that gave some perspective, but this was something else the first time I read it and now again. There is so much we can learn as we explore what is outside of our family experience and see what life is like in another pair of shoes. It’s great that you have the experience reading Native Son. Best, Jack

[@RovingReader]

@@ramblingraconteur1616 haha it was more some sexual content that I had to ask my mom about...