The Reed Reader

By Ishmael Reed

Book Overview

Ishmael Reed has been described as cavorting "like a black bull in the china shop of Western culture," and The Reed Reader is a collection of the sharp, jagged results of his rampage. In it, one of the most renowned African American writers offers a generous sampling of the brilliant and witty satire, the politically charged, wildly imaginative storytelling, and the caustic cultural criticism that have become his trademarks. In these excerpts from his celebrated novels, poems, plays, and essays, Reed displays an ironic wit, a cold, keen eye for economic exploitation, a hilarious sense of the absurd, and a slender but persistent optimism for the determined souls who transcend their environment and penetrate illusions by daring acts of will. The Reed Reader is the cumulative representation of an astonishing career, a powerful testament to Reed's many and enormous literary gifts.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465068944
• ISBN13: 9780465068944
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 524 Pages
• Weight: 1.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Very good reading and this one makes you think.

Reading and reviewing books gives me the opportunity to venture into areas of learning I might never have the chance to be a part of. I am always grateful when I can open up a book that from the cover might not look what I would want to read and after finishing the book I am glad I took the time to read.The Reed Reader is a book that requires an open mind in order to understand what the author is trying to convey through the pages. Read uses biting satire and an intelligent wording to bring out points about what he in the culture and the American way of life.Reed's ability to go beyond the surface in the issue makes the reading enlightening as well as thought provoking. Reed is certainly one to take chances in his writing and the reader will benefit from the "wisdom" of his words.Overall the book is well written and easy to follow. I will say that not everyone is going to understand the message of the book and that may be the one shortcoming. However if you are open to new ideas you may want to spend a few hours with Ishmael Reed.