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Essays on Writing, Hoop, and American Lives 1971–2024
The first ever collection of John Edgar Wideman's most influential essays and articles, five decades of cultural and literary criticism that paint a vivid portrait of America's changing landscape and chronicle the emergence and evolution of a major presence in fiction.
John Edgar Wideman, renowned for his award-winning fiction and memoirs, first made waves in American literature with his sharp, insightful commentary. Now, for the first time, his extensive body of long-form journalism and essays, personally curated by Wideman himself and spanning nearly five decades of his remarkable career, showcase his intellectual depth and lasting influence.
Originally featured in publications such as Esquire, Vogue, and The New Yorker, Wideman's writings explore the core of American culture, politics, and identity. With his unique perspective on iconic figures like Zora Neale Hurston, Malcolm X, Spike Lee, Emmett Till, and Michael Jordan, Wideman offers a fresh view on the changing tides of American society. Hailed as a "master of language" by the New York Times, Wideman's prose is both relatable and profound, making this collection a perfect introduction for newcomers and a treasured addition for longtime admirers.
This volume goes beyond mere compilation; it narrates the story of a nation in transition, from the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement to the rise of the Obama era and beyond. Critics have consistently lauded Wideman's skill in blending personal narrative with broader cultural observations, and this collection promises to captivate and inspire, reinforcing Wideman's standing as a literary luminary and a cornerstone of American literature.
"Incisive and enthralling, the collection puts Wideman's keen critical eye and cultural awareness on full display. The result is an essential chronicle of the American experience." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Brittle and brilliant, a welcome record of Black life and thought in an often unwelcoming nation." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Through a mixture of journalism, literary and cultural criticism, and biographical and political essays, the varied career of the prolific Wideman is on full display in this new collection of his long-form nonfiction writing... Wideman is always insightful, honest, and absorbing. This collection is an essential addition to a masterful oeuvre and a perfect companion to Wideman's short fiction anthology, You Made Me Love You (2021)." —Booklist (starred review)
This information about Languages of Home was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Photo: Geoffrey A. Landis
John Edgar Wideman's books include, among others, Look for Me and I'll Be Gone, You Made Me Love You, American Histories, Writing to Save a Life, Brothers and Keepers, Philadelphia Fire, Fatheralong, Hoop Roots, and Sent for You Yesterday. He won the PEN/Faulkner Award twice and has twice been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and National Book Award. He is a MacArthur Fellow and a recipient of the Lannan Literary Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story. He divides his time between New York and France.
Name Pronunciation
John Edgar Wideman: WIDE-mehn. Second syllable is pronounced as names ending in "man" typically are.
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by Paul Staiti
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A fascinating look at how the art world viewed the American Revolution, and how their work still effects the way we view those events today.
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