The Cambridge Companion to James Baldwin

by Michele Elam (Editor)

This Companion offers fresh insight into the art and politics of James Baldwin, one of the most important writers and provocative cultural critics of the twentieth century. Black, gay, and gifted, he was hailed as a “spokesman for the race,” although he personally, and controversially, eschewed titles and classifications of all kinds. Individual essays examine his classic novels and nonfiction as well as his work across lesser-examined poetry, music, theatre, sermon, photo-text, children's literature, public media, comedy, and artistic collaboration. In doing so, The Cambridge Companion to James Baldwin captures the power and influence of his work during the civil rights era as well as his relevance in the “post-race” transnational twenty-first century, when his prescient questioning of the boundaries of race, sex, love, leadership, and country assume new urgency.

274 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2015

Reviews

[Richard Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential for anyone into Baldwin. Excellent writing and insight. The range of essays makes for a broad reflection on Baldwin's life and work. Organized in two sections, the first on art, the second on influence, the breadth is remarkable. Occasionally indulges theory more particular to the essayist than germane to Baldwin himself. Overall, engaging and thought-provoking.