During his active years, Wright wrote more than 16 books – including several short stories, novels, poems, and essays. His most acclaimed work remains ‘Native Son,’ a novel that he published in 1940 to a restless pre-World War II American society. Wright garnered many accolades for ‘Native Son,’ but this book is far from being the author’s only acclaimed work – as there were more similarly commendable books from the past and later in the future. All the best books written by the iconic black writer, Richard Wright, have been summarized and analyzed in this article.
Native Son
This book is taken to be Richard Wright’s all-time greatest-ever book. Published in 1940 by Harper & Brothers, ‘Native Son’ immediately found success – selling over 2,000 copies a day and 250,000 copies a month. The book won several prestigious awards including the Guggenheim Award and the Spingarn Medal among other awards.
In what is a controversial narrative, Wright dissected the issue of racial inequality in America – more specifically dealing with the white and black races. Borrowing from his personal experiences resulting from his traveling around and seeing the unfavorable conditions black people face in the hands of their white counterparts, author Richard Wright headlines the young and troubled Bigger Thomas as his most frontal character, walking his readership through Bigger’s struggle to survive in a white privileged society.
From the onset, Bigger is introduced as hailing from a poor background and leading a life of crime – including ganging and robbery. Bigger forgets his family’s value and neglects his mother’s sage advice, but his real destruction would eventually come from an accidental act that results in the murder of a white woman, the most sacrilegious crime of his era. He panics and tries to cover the truth, but the next chain of events would mean more troubles for him, and he’s eventually caught and lined up for execution.
Black Boy
An autobiographical novel by Richard Wright, ‘Black Boy’ is another high-profile work coming off the pen of the iconic black American writer. Wright released this book in 1945 and it became very successful – earning a bestseller status in a short amount of time.
In this memoir, Richard Wright paints to the readers a portrait of himself as he details his struggle from childhood, the misery of growing up in Mississippi, and his sojourn through different cities where he experienced racial segregation and then in Chicago, where he begins to find his voice. ‘Black Boy’ is elaborate and revealing as it is gripping and captivating. It is also a book that is highly contested as it contains some vulgarities and strong racial claims – which was why it was banned in the 70s.
American Hunger
‘American Hunger’ follows Wright’s continuation of his autobiographical work, which started with ‘Black Boy.’ Richard Wright wrote this book alongside or around the same period as ‘Black Boy,’ but it wasn’t going to be published until many years after his death.
The book follows a compelling retelling of Wright’s experiences from the author himself when he began living in the Southside of Chicago – picking up menial jobs – such as serving as a dishwasher – before he eventually made it as a writer. In this book, Wright also shares some unpleasant experiences he had after joining the communist party, the in-house dissent that unfolded, his betrayal by fellow black Americans, and the racial tension that was always there.
The Outsider
Published over 70 years ago by the same publisher of ‘Native Son,’ ‘The Outsider’ is remarkably written by Richard Wright and follows his prototype black crime thriller catalyzed by the ugliest side of racism.
The book talks about a man named Cross Damon who escapes the gnashing jaws of death and comes a long way to live by his ideals, spurning the conventions of society while discounting the ethics and values of his own family. Although he lives in society but flouts all its laws to uphold his existentialist ideals. After faking his death in the hostility of Chicago, he moves to Harlem and leads a completely invisible life – and that includes murdering and sparing whomever he so chooses.
Lawd Today
‘Lawd Today’ is a slightly depressing, mild tempo – and as usual – negro-focused novel published posthumously by Richard Wright in March of 1963, but the book is older than and dates back to before ‘Native Son’ and ‘Black Boy.’ In the narrative, Wright uses a postal services worker and wife-beater, Jake Jackson, as his main character as he critically weighs his Chicago society in the decades before the 1930s – when the book was written.
A Father’s Law
Richard Wright’s daughter, Julia Wright, published this book in the author’s stead in 2008, but Wright completed the book while in Paris in the days leading to his death in 1960. The book is an enthralling crime thriller, but also scratches significantly through the subjects of social laws, family values, and gender bias, among other important subjects.
Savage Holiday
Richard Wright published ‘Savage Holiday’ in 1954 as a crime and psychological thriller book. Wright talks about an insurance executive, Erskine Fowler, and the ill-fated circumstances that he struggles with following his early retirement. Fowler finds himself in deep trouble after he becomes the primary suspect in the death of a young boy in his neighborhood, and goes through hell in his quest to seek and prove his redemption.
The Long Dream
Published in 1958, ‘The Long Dream’ follows an adolescent awakening story and marks Richard Wright’s final novel creation before his death. The book pilots a mixed-race narrative while the author’s usual negro sentiment remains intact. Wright helps us see this story through the eyes of a young lad called Fishbelly as he grows through the chapters – from a child into adulthood – and is hit by the reality of a serious racial conflict as he also gradually learns the chicane behind his father’s business.
Pagan Spain
Published in 1957 by Richard Wright, ‘Pagan Spain’ follows a thrilling five-part travel diary he wrote after touring through Spain for three weeks as he deeded to the advice of friend and fellow author Gertrude Stein, who wanted Wright to take the trip. In this book, Wright erects a critical discussion of Spain’s social reality at the time. He criticizes the people’s coming into superstition, calm and trust in fascism, and a total lack of rationalism. He sympathizes with women whom he sees as the unlucky victims of an organized, systemic national oppression.
FAQs
How many books did Richard Wright publish?
Richard Wright published more than a dozen books, several short stories, and essays to cap a decorated career before retiring in Paris until his death.
What book is the most famous from Richard Wright?
‘Native Son’ is regarded as Wright’s most famous book; however, his other works, such as ‘Black Boy’ are also known and acclaimed worldwide.
When was ‘Native Son’ released?
Wright published ‘Native Son’ in March 1940, during the heat of the segregation and discrimination faced by African Americans at the hands of white men.
How many best sellers does Richard Wright have?
Richard Wright has several best-selling books; however, ‘Native Son’ and ‘Black Boy’ are the books that come to mind when considering his bestsellers.