The Reed Reader [Hardcover]

Ishmael Reed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2000

In The Reed Reader Ishmael Reed displays the brilliant and witty satire, politically charged, wildly imaginative storytelling, and caustic cultural criticism that have become his unique trademarks. Included are excerpts from such celebrated novels as The Free-Lance Pallbearers, Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down, Mumbo Jumbo, and Japanese by Spring (among others) and two of his plays, Hubba City and The Preacher and the Rapper. In addition, a wide selection of his poems and essays are collected here, including "Airing Dirty Laundry" and "Shrovetide in New Orleans." The Reed Reader is the cumulative representation of an astonishingly rich and accomplished career, a powerful testament to Reed's many and enormous literary gifts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . his fiction, non-fiction, and poetry alike resurrects the dead." -- Terry McMillan

". . .lovers of his style will revel in this collection." -- Booklist [June 1, 2000]

About the Author

Ishmael Reed has taught at Harvard, Yale, and Dartmouth, and has long been on the faculty at UC-Berkeley. Reed is the author of more than twenty books, including novels, essays, plays, and poetry. He has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and was twice nominated for the National Book Award. He lives in Oakland with his wife, Carla, and their daughter Tennessee.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 524 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; First Edition edition (April 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465068936
• ISBN-13: 978-0465068937
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,838,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good reading and this one makes you think., June 11, 2000

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reed Reader (Hardcover)

Reading and reviewing books gives me the opportunity to venture into areas of learning I might never have the chance to be a part of. I am always grateful when I can open up a book that from the cover might not look what I would want to read and after finishing the book I am glad I took the time to read.

The Reed Reader is a book that requires an open mind in order to understand what the author is trying to convey through the pages. Read uses biting satire and an intelligent wording to bring out points about what he in the culture and the American way of life.

Reed's ability to go beyond the surface in the issue makes the reading enlightening as well as thought provoking. Reed is certainly one to take chances in his writing and the reader will benefit from the "wisdom" of his words.

Overall the book is well written and easy to follow. I will say that not everyone is going to understand the message of the book and that may be the one shortcoming. However if you are open to new ideas you may want to spend a few hours with Ishmael Reed.