The Harlem Renaissance was a pivotal moment in American literature. Centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City during the 1920s and 1930s, this cultural revival produced some of the most influential writers and books in the canon of twentieth-century American literature.
But beyond the famous names, there are just as many works deserving of a read. Here are our ten favorite books from the Harlem Renaissance.
10. Native Son by Richard Wright
First published in 1940, it’s true that this novel isn’t typically classified as a work from the Harlem Renaissance—by most metrics, the movement had largely concluded by the mid-1930s, though its ideas persisted. And many of those ideas burn bright in this masterpiece by multi-genre writer Richard Wright.
Set in the South Side of Chicago in the 1930s, Native Son tells the heartbreaking story of a young man named Bigger Thomas. Exploring themes of systemic injustice, destiny, and liberty, this novel continues the echo of the Harlem Renaissance. Furthermore, it has borne a deep influence on later artists like James Baldwin (who famously took issue with the novel’s characterization of Bigger Thomas in his 1955 book Notes Of A Native Son) to the band U2, whose hit song “Vertigo” was initially titled “Native Son.”
9. The Blacker the Berry by Wallace Thurman
ISBN: 9781420969467
Widely referenced in songs by artists like Kendrick Lamar and Tupac Shakur, this 1929 novel is a provocative account of the impact of colorism. Following protagonist Emma Lou Morgan, a dark-skinned woman who experiences harrowing discrimination, The Blacker The Berry calls us to reflect on internalized prejudice and just what it means to accept yourself.
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8. Black No More by George S. Schuyler
ISBN: 9780143131885
A satire novel that predicted the movement of Afrofuturism, Black No More is often classified as an early science fiction novel. Originally published under the full title of Black No More: Being an Account of the Strange and Wonderful Workings of Science in the Land of the Free, A.D. 1933-1940, this satirical novel imagines a reality in which Black people can use a scientific procedure to change the color of their skin to white.
Poking fun at influential leaders like Marcus Garvey and W. E. B. Du Bois as well as prominent movements like eugenics, Schuyler’s novel is an ironic and absurd look at racial constructs.
7. The Souls Of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois
The oldest book on this list, The Souls Of Black Folk also falls outside of the typical timeframe for the Harlem Renaissance. (It was first published in 1903). Its relevance to the movement, however, cannot be overstated: this collection of essays introduced the idea of “double consciousness,” which has become a cornerstone in sociology and Africana studies.
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6. The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson
ISBN: 9781420952360
This innovative novel was first published anonymously in 1912, as its author, James Weldon Johnson, feared that its unflinching depiction of racism and discrimination might impact his career. (Sadly, Johnson’s fears were not unwarranted, as the book was first received quite poorly.) In 1927, however, the book was reissued by influential publisher Alfred A. Knopf under Johnson’s own name.
Despite its brief length, the novel delves into complex topics of identity and “passing,” or the ability to be accepted as belonging to a different social group from one’s own. After witnessing a horrific lynching of a Black man, the unnamed narrator of the novel decides to live life as white and is left to grapple with questions of identity and acceptance.
5. The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes
ISBN: 9798831430653
One of the foremost poets of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes is perhaps most famous for his poem “The Weary Blues,” which was published in the book of the same name in 1926. Taking influence from jazz and blues music, this poetry collection is a great choice for readers looking for a deeper perspective on the joys and pains of the human experience.
4. Cane by Jean Toomer
Jean Toomer’s pioneering work, Cane, was first published in 1923 and is hailed as a key piece of modernist literature. Through a cycle of poems, short stories, and play-like dialogues, Toomer presents a complex portrayal of Black life across the U.S. From urban Chicago to rural Georgia, this short novel depicts the diversity and variety of the Black experience and the search for meaning in a changing society.
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3. Home To Harlem by Claude McKay
ISBN: 9781555530242
Perhaps best known for his poetry, Claude McKay was also a talented prose writer, and Home To Harlem is among his most famous works. Published in 1928, this novel follows a young World War I veteran named Jake as he navigates the complexities of modern life. Rhythmic and musical, this novel continues to resonate with readers almost a hundred years later.
2. Passing by Nella Larsen
Following the lives of two childhood friends whose paths cross once more in adulthood, Passing is a thought-provoking consideration of societal expectations and racial identity. Protagonist Irene lives life as a Black woman, but her old friend Clare, who is mixed race, passes as white.
Through to its gripping final scene, Nella Larsen’s masterpiece is a heartbreaking work about privilege and the psychological toll of denying one’s true self. (When you’re finished reading, be sure to watch Netflix’s 2021 adaptation.)
1. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Set against a backdrop of gender- and racial-inequality, this classic novel follows the journey of protagonist Janie Crawford, a Black woman in the American South. Throughout three distinct marriages, Janie seeks a deeper understanding of herself. Through universal themes of love, independence, and identity, this novel is a celebration of the resilience and strength of Black women and a testament to the power of Nora Zeale Hurston’s writing.
And there you have it, the ten greatest books from the Harlem Renaissance. Happy reading!
