Ralph Ellison: A Biography (Vintage)
by Arnold Rampersad
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Book Summary Information
Author: Arnold RampersadEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-01-08
ISBN: 0375707980
Number of pages: 704
Publisher: Vintage
Book Reviews of Ralph Ellison: A Biography (Vintage)
Book Review: A Review For The Casual Reader
Summary: 4 Stars
One can only guess what a one-hit-wonder who finally has to come to grips with his limitations really thinks of himself. Having read this biography, I still wonder whether Ellison believed his own hype, although it is not Rampersad's fault that I do. Did Ellison realize fairly early on that he had done the best he was going to do, or on his deathbed was he still running passages through his head?
Rampersad does shed light on Ralph Ellison as a brilliant, conflicted man who spent his lifetime serving, and having others serve, his emotional and material needs. Although he put himself ahead of others--his mother, brother, wife and friends--whenever he wanted to, Ellison still was not able to get what he wanted most: a second novel.
Ellison could be noble on one hand and grossly selfish on the other. He was effortlessly comfortable being a Negro and disdainful of Negroes at the same time. The sort of guy you would want in your circle of friends for his humor and intellect, as long as he wasn't right next to you. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it even to those who prefer a more casual read. Bad Girls Finish First
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