Book Review: "The Man Who Lived Underground"

[Democide]

When the 'Native Son' Became 'The Man Who Lived Underground'

25 September 2021

On December 12, 1941, the literary agent Paul Reynolds contacted Edward Asner, one of the top editors at the publishing house Harper & Brothers, with what should have come as welcome news. "Here," Reynolds announced, "is the new novel by Richard Wright." A year earlier, Harper & Brothers had published Native Son, Wright's searing novel of racism and violence, and watched as the book ascended the bestseller lists and launched its author into literary stardom. "Few other recent novels have been preceded by more advanced critical acclamation, or lived up to the expectations they aroused so well," gushed The New ...

When the 'Native Son' Became 'The Man Who Lived Underground'

One of Richard Wright's best books went unpublished in his lifetime, due to "unbearable" scenes of police brutality. Now at last it is in print.

reason.com