THE POETRY OF THE NEGRO: 1746-1949; ONE WAY TICKET

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 10, 1948

The volume edited by Hughes and Bontemps is a timely anthology, including not only Negro verse but verse written about the Negro. Beginning with the earliest pieces written by slaves still in captivity, the first section is devoted entirely to American Negroes, down to contemporaries. The second section deals with work by non-Negroes, such as Blake, Whitman, Lindsay and others. The third section, while keeping to the Negro theme, has wide range, bracketed only by the geographical limitations of the title,- The Caribbean. The purpose of the book is competently served- to survey the field of both Negro poetic expression, and the poetry he inspired in others. (January 6).............ONE WAY TICKET is a new volume by the poet who is also co-editor of the anthology. This time he seems both overwhelmed and subdued by the trials and tribulations of his race. It is all a one way street for him, the street of discrimination and despair. The form of these poems is light, the subject matter heavy. The result is not quite a satisfactory mixture either as pure poetry or human appeal. Stronger, finer things have been written by other Negro poets. The defiance here seems feeble, as is the poetic gift -- a disappointment from Langston Hughes in a time when powerful expression is called for. The sale of the book will be largely from his admirers (who will be disappointed) and from those who are interested in any expression of this race.

Pub Date: Jan. 10, 1948

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday; Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1948

Categories: NONFICTION