Notes of a Native Son
James Baldwin · 1955
Baldwin's first essay collection established him as the greatest American prose stylist of the 20th century. The title essay, about his father's death, a race riot, and his own rage, is a landmark in American literature. Every sentence is load-bearing.
The case against
Half the collection is occasional journalism whose targets have receded: a Carmen Jones review, Paris misadventures, a demolition of Native Son that reads now like a son clearing space by burying his father. The title essay and 'Stranger in the Village' are as good as American prose gets; some of their neighbors are warm-ups you finish out of respect.
Essays · the Pro canon
The case for it and the rest of the canon open with Pro.
if this one calls to you, so will these →
