Invisible Man is truly one-of-a-kind.

I embarked on reading this novel with no particular expectations other than being aware that it is a classic that delves into the trials and tribulations endured by the black community in the mid-1900s. And indeed, it is that. However, the experience of the tragic hero in the novel is extremely bizarre, mind-bending, and somewhat unexpected. It is presented in a manner that ensures it reflects a wide range of possible experiences that a black man might have faced during that era. But, since Ellison crams so many of these experiences into one book and presents them in such rapid succession, your mind might be left reeling by the end.

I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible the writing is. Sometimes, when approaching a classic, I am nervous, fearing that I will spend more time grappling with the writing style than actually immersing myself in the story. With Invisible Man, the writing and narrative are very easy to follow, although it does require a bit of extra concentration due to the sudden narrative jumps.

Many of the frustrations encountered by our protagonist bear a striking resemblance to those faced in America today. Perhaps some aspects are a bit different because times have changed, but it is still concerning that a story written 70 years ago can feel so relevant. I can compare my feelings about this to a discussion I had with my wife about the show Mad Men. For those who haven't seen it, the main storylines are always influenced by what was happening in America in the late 50s and 60s. We noted how astonishing it is that all the plots regarding the handling of racial inequality don't sound much different from today. Many might look at the news and exclaim, "Wow, 2020 is crazy! I can't believe what the response to racial inequality has become!" But, if you take the time to look back, it has been this way for a long time – you may just not have been paying close enough attention!

In conclusion, Invisible Man is a very good book that is well worth checking out. Not only is it a captivating and interesting story, but it also has a powerful message to convey.

“I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fibre and liquids - and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible because people refuse to see me…When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination - indeed, everything and anything except me.”

When I first read this book last year, this quote truly caught my attention. It had a distinct Dostevskyan feel to it. It wasn't until my second reading that I was able to truly begin to process the content of this book. Even now, I can't claim to fully understand all the symbolism.

I have a great love for coming-of-age books, and this one is no different. The story begins with the narrator attending a college in the American South. Due to certain events that I won't detail here, he relocates to Harlem in search of work. We witness the narrator's maturation process as he evolves from an innocent boy to someone who starts to question his identity but struggles to reconcile it with his position as a black man in (racist) 1950s America. And, like any typical coming-of-age narrative, there is a great deal of both internal and external conflict.

It's extremely challenging to summarize this book accurately because so many things occur within its pages. Naturally, the central issue revolves around race and what it was like for a person of color living in a racist society during that era. The book also delves into politics when it presents different potential approaches to racial integration, with one being more radical than the other.

All in all, it's a remarkable book. I will likely have to read it again (or perhaps discuss it with someone!) in order to gain a better understanding of its profound themes and messages.

Invisible Man is an outstandingly well-written and intelligent novel, brimming with passion, fire, and energy. It is truly a force to be reckoned with in the literary world and should not be taken lightly.

“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. Like the bodiless heads you see sometimes in circus sideshows, it is as though I have been surrounded by mirrors of hard, distorting glass. When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves or figments of their imagination, indeed, everything and anything except me.”

The novel raises profound questions about identity (or the lack thereof) in a world that demands conformity and meeting the expectations of others. The unnamed protagonist feels invisible because the world cannot accept his opinions, desires, and intellectual freedom. He is forced to think, act, and talk in a prescribed way, causing his personality to vanish as he becomes what he is told to be.

He struggles to form his own identity as every attempt at individualism is met with resistance. This lack of self prevents him from finding a sense of belonging anywhere. The novel is not just about blackness in a white society or the postcolonial state of slavery and hybrid identity. It is about American society at large and, indeed, the world at large.

“When I discover who I am, I'll be free.”

The narrator's experiences in different communities and societies, each with its own ideas about how blacks should behave, add to the novel's power. He feels detached and inauthentic as he tries to conform to these ideas. Ellison's language is remarkable, with a keen ear for dialogue and speech patterns that vividly convey the narrator's disillusionment.

“Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.”

As I write this, I am about to embark on my second reading of this spectacular novel. There is simply so much depth and complexity that one read is insufficient to fully appreciate its beauty and significance.

Even though I noticed the complete lack of characterisation from the start,

I was still hopeful that the story would develop in an interesting way. However, nothing in the first half prepared me for all the political ramblings with preachy undertones of the second one.

It felt as if the author was more interested in making a political statement than in telling a good story. The characters became mere mouthpieces for the author's views, and the plot suffered as a result.

I found myself skimming through the pages, eager to reach the end and be done with it. Glad this is over - I really need a story now that focuses on well-developed characters and an engaging plot. One that will draw me in and keep me hooked from start to finish.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison is a remarkable work that offers a profound exploration of various themes.

I had a significant number of status updates from this book, with most of them being quotations. The novel is highly quotable, and the rhythm of the language is captivating. For example, the line "Now I know men are different and that all life is divided and that only in division is there true health" showcases the power of Ellison's words.

The novel is episodic, and many of its chapters could be read independently. It feels like an amalgamation of different speeches, notes, stories, and symbolic situations. However, it is not a picaresque novel but rather a Bildungsroman, as the protagonist grows to understand his place in society.

The symbolism in the book is far from subtle. It bombards the reader with symbolic objects, but in a good way. It's like junk food symbolism, easy, pleasant, and satisfying. The surrealism in the novel also adds to its charm. The narrator's voice, initially raw like Holden Caulfield's, later resembles that of Kurt Vonnegut's narrators.

The book delves into the theme of racism in all its forms and shades. It serves as a catalogue of the black experience and the various responses to it. From the perception of black Americans as "the machine within the machine" to the different types of black individuals, such as the 'Uplift' blacks and the victims of trigger-happy policemen, Ellison explores the complex and often painful reality of race in America.

The critique of the Uplift movement is also a significant aspect of the book. It highlights the deeply engrained mistrust of one's own race and the desire to out-white the whites. The scene where the unnamed narrator orders a yam, a symbol of the embraced black heritage, is a powerful moment.

Overall, Invisible Man is a thought-provoking and engaging read that offers valuable insights into race, identity, and society. Thanks to Linda for a great buddy read!

I have been seeing this on friends' feeds lately.

I read this for a college seminar on African American History of the 1930s and 1940s. It was truly a remarkable and engaging class. The demographics were such that it was literally half African American and half Caucasian, which led to some extremely provocative discussions.

Our professor assigned us to read Ellison's masterpiece. Even though I don't recall every single detail of it in its entirety, there are certain aspects that remain vivid in my memory. I remember the protagonist meeting Booker T Washington and George Washington Carver, and engaging in discussions about the talented tenth, black universities, and the back to Africa movement, among other things.

All in all, "Invisible Man" stands out as one of the top three books I read during my college years. It had such a profound impact on me that I know I will have to reread it when I find the time. It's a book that I believe holds great significance and offers valuable insights into the African American experience during that particular era.

I look forward to delving back into its pages and rediscovering the depth and complexity of the story and the themes it explores.

The novel is truly captivating, with its words flowing like a beautiful rhythm. It presents a powerful message that we should not simply be cogs in a machine, mindlessly following orders and not having the courage to say yes or no. Instead, we are reminded that "Life is meant to be lived, not controlled."

"I heard a thorny voice singing with a mixture of laughter and solemnity:
Don't come early in the morning
Neither in the heat of the day
But come in the sweet cool of the
Evening and wash my sins away..." This passage adds an element of mystery and depth to the story, as if there is a hidden meaning waiting to be discovered.

As we read on, we are drawn further into the world of the novel, eager to see how the characters will navigate the challenges and opportunities that come their way. Will they break free from the constraints of society and live life on their own terms? Or will they remain trapped in the machine, never truly experiencing the joy and freedom that life has to offer?

**Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison**

Invisible Man, a novel penned by Ralph Ellison and published by Random House in 1952, presents a profound exploration of the human condition.

The unnamed black narrator begins by描绘 his unique living situation - an underground room illuminated by hundreds of electric lights, powered by stolen electricity from the city's grid.

He reflects on the many instances of social invisibility he has endured throughout his life and commences to tell his story, taking the reader back to his teenage years.

The story is about the life of an "American" black man who, due to living in a society filled with hostility and rigidity, loses his sense of self and feels as if he no longer has an external existence. Ellison chose this title for his book because he believed this man truly no longer exists.

The title "Invisible Man" in world classic literature brings to mind two authors. Among them, perhaps H.G. Wells, the "English" author, is more famous. He published his "Invisible Man" in the form of a science-fiction novel in 1897. Wells' "Invisible Man" was later also produced and presented as a film.

However, this "Invisible Man" is the work of Ralph Ellison. Ellison was an "American" black author and critic who lived from the early 20th century (born in 1914) to the late 20th century (passed away in 1994). Emphasizing Ellison's blackness is deliberate as his "Invisible Man" is based on the experiences of a black man.

Ellison's "Invisible Man" has a significant difference from Wells' "Invisible Man". In Wells' novel, we read about a man who, by his own will and relying on a chemical substance, becomes invisible. But Ellison shows his readers a man who is invisible to others' indifference and is not seen.

Many consider Ellison's novel one of the influential novels of the 20th century in the defense of blacks. This book has made a substantial contribution to the political and social growth path of blacks in "America" in recent decades.

That's why the most famous sentence in the book is: "I am invisible; simply because people refuse to see me."

Quote from the book: (I am not ashamed that my grandparents were slaves; but I am ashamed that I once felt ashamed because they were slaves.) End of quote.

The date of dissemination is 09/04/1400 Hijri Shamsi; 25/01/1401 Hijri Shamsi; A. Sharbiani.

What can one say about a masterpiece that hasn't been said before? That is the question I asked myself when I wanted to write this review. But then I realized that there is always more to say, always something we can add. This is, in fact, one of the qualities that make a masterpiece what it is. Every time we read it, we can discover something new. There is always a hidden message, a deeper meaning. In every masterpiece, we will find a quality that is timeless and relevant.

From a personal perspective, I found myself deeply immersed in this book. I think most of us try to discover who we really are, and many of us take wrong turns along the way. Life is complex and full of surprises, and it's easy to get lost. This novel does an excellent job of following the inner life of its young protagonist, but it does much more than that. It shows us how many of us feel invisible at times. There are many ways to be invisible, and this novel explores them all.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it, but this was my first novel by this author. I read a fragment of it back in college and was moved by it. Reading the entire novel was a completely different experience. From the very first paragraph, I was hooked. The Battle Royal scene was so real that it left me emotionally and psychically drained. It took me a few days to pick up the novel again, but I'm glad I did. There were many other instances when the novel left me feeling exhausted, both emotionally and intellectually. But it was worth the investment of time and energy.

So, what is Invisible Man? Is it a portrait of a young African American man? A warning about the problems of the modern world? A testimony of the struggles and challenges of an African American man? A book about self-discovery? A novel about identity? A critique of communism or capitalism? A study of modern society? An exploration of the inner self? In my opinion, it's all of these things and more. The way it weaves together so many important themes and still manages to be a great story is truly remarkable. It's both scientific and mystical, spiritual and intellectual.

On every level, this novel is a complete success. I started this review wondering what I could say that hadn't been said before, but now I realize that I could talk about this book forever. It's one of those rare books that can change your life. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it.

You can also check out my original review with photos on my blog: http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/201...