The Return of Simple

Simple

by Langston Hughes, Akiba S. Harper (Editor)

Jesse B. Simple, Simple to his fans, made weekly appearances beginning in 1943 in Langston Hughes' column in the Chicago Defender. Simple may have shared his readers feelings of loss and dispossession, but he also cheered them on with his wonderful wit and passion for life.

Genres: Short Stories, African American, Classics, Literature, Humor, Fiction

218 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Through poetry, prose, and drama, American writer James Langston Hughes made important contributions to the Harlem renaissance; his best-known works include Weary Blues (1926) and The Ways of White Folks (1934).

People best know this social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist James Mercer Langston Hughes, one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry, for his famous written work about the period, when "Harlem was in vogue."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langsto...

Reviews

[Tim Null · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that gives wives the chance to say, "Ain't that the truth, uh-huh."

[Naomi]

DNF. Not bad, just not in the mood to finish it

[Cortland Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I’ve browsed through for a few years now. I’ve referred back to it for multiple reasons. I love the versatility of this text, the balance of hitting almost every human emotion; a man felt during the civil rights era. Langston translated it perfectly by blending laughter and hard truth from his perspective as an African-American Poet. He is an inspiration to myself as a young poet and this book is one of those reasons.
Keep it Simple!

[Karen A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had "any" Langston Hughes on my TBR for a while, but my library doesn’t seem to have many of his books. I spotted this one on the shelf and took a chance. I know Hughes is known for his poetry and this is a bit different, it’s a collection of stories. These were gathered from years of his writings from a weekly newspaper column he wrote about the musings of a character he created named Jesse B. Semple, or “Simple” as he called himself. So, this was an interesting introduction to Hughes writing style. In these stories he takes on subjects about life in Harlem in the 1960s—the women, the work, the racial make-up, the police activity, etc. I would say I enjoyed most of the stories. They were told from the POV of a simple man, but obviously with Hughes’ intellect, wit, and sharp opinions on things. Lots of insight into race relations of the time, that really could be exactly what is said today. The way police treat Black people, the way “liberals” claim to be an ally but do nothing to help the situation, and the difficulty of getting ahead when even the dumbest White man has an edge over the most educated Black man. I found these stories thought provoking but I didn’t love the structure of this book. I plan to find one of Hughes’s more mainstream writings to get a better sense of him.

[Ellice · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who know Langston Hughes only from his poetry, his tales of Jesse B. Semple ("Simple") might come as a surprise. They're funny, and intensely cutting in their analysis of the lives of African Americans in the mid-20th century--which also has far too much in common with the state of affairs in the America of 2020. I didn't find every story to be a winner, but more hit home than didn't.

Definitely worth a read.

[kate buskirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow so well done so well rounded such a succint creative funny reflection of the times. Doesnt sugar coat history and really shows perspectives from where they are. I loved the exploration of pan africanism and Feminism and class relations in specific. But as a whole it's just really great. Since they were columns it
was very digestible but still in a mentally challenging and interesting way

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved the character, Simple, for decades. He is anything but simple. He is a reminder that the "college of life" can oftentimes teach you more than an institution.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Langston Hughes is brilliant. The first three parts were wonderfully selected with common themes. The final part did not have the same connectivity but otherwise a wonderful read.

[Anji]

These very short stories are surprisingly relatable in so many ways today, both in the ways they are human and in the ways our society has failed to progress, particularly in areas concerning race (poverty, police, etc). Langston Hughes simultaneously represents the underdog, the voice of reason, societal norms/tradition, and he does so with such humor and style, in his beautiful economic eloquence, you'll mourn his absence once again.

[Jennifer Serenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Langston Hughes!

Also, the editor is wonderful. I love Dr. Donna Akiba Sullivan Harper =). She's my Mama Kiba!

I actually helped her go through her edits of her book because I had nothing else better to do in the afternoon at school. It was a wonderful learning experience and I appreciate Dr. Harper sharing this experience with me.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

You need humor, an open mind, and really just get ready to laugh....Langston is an awesome writer. The Return of Simple is a sequel. Understanding the Harlem Renaissance era would help you to better understand the book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the wit and wisdom expressed by Jesse B. Semple in these short pieces (originally newspaper columns). He comments on topics including the good and the bad side of racial integration, discrimination, and growing up in the American South. Enlightening and very amusing at the same time.

[Age · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just doesn't get any better than Simple!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish more people would take the time to get out of the theoretical language and bring ideas down to an everyday level. We need an anarchists version of conversations with simple.