Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
The novel is a poignant exploration of a young African-American man's journey through life, where he grapples with issues of race, identity, and individuality in mid-20th-century America. The protagonist, who remains unnamed throughout the story, considers himself socially invisible due to his race. The narrative follows his experiences from the South to the North, from being a student to a worker, and his involvement in the Brotherhood, a political organization. The book is a profound critique of societal norms and racial prejudice, highlighting the protagonist's struggle to assert his identity in a world that refuses to see him.
The 35th greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 4327
This book was first published in 1952
71 Lists
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- score: 169 -- The New York Public Library's Books of the Century - 1996 (Weight: 160)
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- score: 30 -- The Modern Library's 100 Best Novels: The Readers' List - 1998 (Weight: 30)
- score: 28 -- National Book Award - Fiction - Yearly Book Award (Weight: 27)
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