Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison

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I didn’t really think about how this book stands out from other writings by contemporary black authors. I’ve noticed that it focuses a lot more on self realization rather than systemic oppression. It also includes more surreal introspection on racial segregation. Beloved by Toni Morrison had surreal elements too but the theme of this book is most consistently on the fantastical stage and existential. There’s also a lot of intertextuality and cultural references like the Harlem Renaissance and blues music. I think this book takes inspiration from existential philosophy, especially Sartre’s ideas of "being-in-itself" vs "being-for-itself" - even as a conscious being, he’s reduced to invisibility vs being conscious but also aware and reflective. This also connects to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s idea of individualism since our narrator always one of the edge of communal welfare and his own actualization.
also idk but I’ve noticed the stereotype of an older Black woman in the role of caretaker in a lot of early African American literature, which doesnt sit too well with me. all in all, I really don’t know what to think about this book as a whole. It felt more niche and focused. Still audiobooking this and really enjoying it, although there's no mention of chapters - it's all one big gulb of a big book. I've worked out I'm more than half-way through it though, somewhere in chapter 16 - So far, I think the narrator is quite innocent in believing in people's good intentions, and then gets screwed over every time (apart from maybe Mary, the lovely lady that he's been living with, up until now). He's now entered the Brotherhood, renounced his past, and started as a brand new person and life, and a new name (which, just like his original name, we don't know what it is as of yet). Of course you can already see that the Brotherhood is up to no good, they're obviously going to take advantage of him being black. When is the narrator going to see that, and what will be the consequences?
Kudos to Joe Morton for such an excellent interpretation in this audiobook.

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