No other contemporary novel received the volume and intensity of criticism and curiosity that greeted Nigger Heaven upon its publication in 1926. Carl Van Vechten's novel generated a storm of controversy because of its scandalous title and fed an insatiable hunger on the part of the reading public for material relating to the black culture of Harlem's jazz clubs, cabarets, and social events. "The book and not the title is the thing," James Weldon Johnson insisted with regard to Nigger Heaven , and the book is indeed a ...
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No other contemporary novel received the volume and intensity of criticism and curiosity that greeted Nigger Heaven upon its publication in 1926. Carl Van Vechten's novel generated a storm of controversy because of its scandalous title and fed an insatiable hunger on the part of the reading public for material relating to the black culture of Harlem's jazz clubs, cabarets, and social events. "The book and not the title is the thing," James Weldon Johnson insisted with regard to Nigger Heaven , and the book is indeed a nuanced and vibrant portrait of "the great black walled city" of Harlem. Opening on a scene of tawdry sensationalism, Nigger Heaven shifts decisively to a world of black middle-class respectability, defined by intellectual values, professional ambition, and an acute consciousness of class and racial identity. Here is a Harlem where upper-class elites discuss art in well-appointed drawing rooms; rowdy and lascivious drunks spend long nights in jazz clubs and speakeasies; and politically conscious young intellectuals drink coffee and debate "the race problem" in walk-up apartments. At the center of the story, two young people--a quiet, serious librarian and a volatile aspiring writer--struggle to love each other as their dreams are slowly suffocated by racism. This reissue is based on the seventh printing, which included poetry composed by Langston Hughes especially for the book. Kathleen Pfeiffer's astute introduction investigates the controversy surrounding the shocking title and shows how the novel functioned in its time as a site to contest racial violence. She also signals questions of racial authenticity and racial identity raised by a novel about black culture written by a white admirer of that culture.
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Add this copy of Nigger Heaven (National Poetry Series) to cart. $22.99, very good condition, Sold by Russell Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Victoria, BC, CANADA, published 1999 by University of Illinois Press.
Add this copy of Nigger Heaven (Harper Colophon Books, Cn 1001) to cart. $25.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1971 by Harper & Row.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Nigger Heaven to cart. $33.61, new condition, Sold by Blackwell's rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gloucester, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1999 by University of Illinois Press.
Add this copy of Nigger Heaven to cart. $34.59, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1999 by University of Illinois Press.
Add this copy of Nigger Heaven to cart. $39.59, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1999 by University of Illinois Press.
Add this copy of Nigger Heaven to cart. $57.50, Sold by John K. King Used & Rare Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Detroit, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1928 by Grosset & Dunlap: NY.
Edition:
1928, Grosset & Dunlap: NY
Hardcover
Details:
Publisher:
Grosset & Dunlap: NY
Published:
1928
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
14018140540
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Seller's Description:
8 x 5.25, black cloth, 286 pp, covers rubbed, extremities bumped and fraying, spine cocked, top of spine torn, hinges loose, pp toned and used, with an old ink inscription from a former owner. A cheap reprint, but still sought after; with an interesting pencil inscription on front fly: "To E.S. Gardner from the Rose of Harlem."
Add this copy of Nigger Heaven to cart. $66.66, very good condition, Sold by Wm Burgett Bks & Collectibles rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from San Diego, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1971 by Harper Colophon Books.
Add this copy of Nigger Heaven to cart. $70.00, very good condition, Sold by King Crab Books LLC rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Saint Paul, MN, UNITED STATES, published 1951 by Avon (314).
Add this copy of Nigger Heaven (African American Studies) to cart. $71.72, very good condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by University of Illinois Press.
Add this copy of Nigger Heaven to cart. $75.00, very good condition, Sold by Reed Books rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Birmingham, AL, UNITED STATES, published by Avon.
