Birthright

by T.S. Stribling

Birthright (1922) is a novel by T.S. Stribling. Originally serialized in Century Magazine , the novel marked a major departure for Stribling, whose previous works had avoided serious themes altogether. Birthright was praised by black and white critics upon publication, and allowed Stribling to move his career away from genre fiction and into the pressing historical and social questions of his time. Peter is a young man with a powerful vision. After graduating from Harvard, he returns to his hometown of Hooker’s Bend, Tennessee, where he gains a new understanding of the prejudices and laws that shaped his upbringing. Born into a family of mixed racial heritage, Peter has long understood the necessity of passing, which allows him to avoid violence and to further his personal interests. Back in the South, however, he realizes that his experiences as a student have granted him an opportunity to change his community for the better. As he attempts to educate members of the local black and white communities, his hope for the future soon turns to doubt and disillusionment. Birthright , a triumphant and tragic story of race in America, was adapted by pioneering director Oscar Micheaux into a 1924 silent film and a 1939 talkie of the same name. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of T.S. Stribling’s Birthright is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

188 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Thomas Sigismun Stribling was a staff writer for "Saturday Evening Post" and a lawyer. He published under the name T.S. Stribling. In the 1920's and 1930's, T. S. was America's foremost author. His most notable works were "Birthright," "Teeftfollow," "Backwater," "The Forge" and "The Unfinished Cathedral". He won the Pulitzer Prize for his book, "The Store" in 1933.

Reviews

[Rustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially attracted to T.S. Stribling for the use of Florence, Alabama as the setting for The Store, he has quickly become one of my favorite writers. Birthright is set in Hooker's Bend, TN, a town off the TN River. The story's main character, Peter Singer, is a Harvard educated black man returning to his hometown (Hooker's Bend). He faces challenges with his goal of creating a Tuskegee-like institution for the betterment of society by educating blacks. Specifically common legal tricks, attitudes of local whites, and the lack of vision in his own race are pitfalls Singer must attempt to navigate.

I've enjoyed Stribling's look into race relations of the South. His novels explore attitudes between races. He is honest in his writing even if some notions are dated. The Birthright, generally considered Stribling's first serious work, doesn't disappoint as he delves into the treatment and attitude between blacks and white in the South. While the plot and characters carry the book, it's the Faulkneresque themes (race, religion, customs, etc.) that I find most interesting.

I find Stribling an unappreciated American and Southern writer. Birthright is another impressive work, and one I recommend.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this book in the local library in a printing by the Hard Press of classic and hard to find books. The name Stribling was familiar to me, maybe because he's from Tennessee as he has no really well-known works. I was pleasantly surprised because he was a very good writer, with an even pace sprinkled with disarming descriptions and witty comments on the nature of humanity. The plot involves a young black man who returns to his village in the early 1900's after attending Harvard, with the desire to help his people. He's met with quite a bit of resistance and humor, has several adventures and adjusts his theories accordingly before leaving for the north.

[Cyd Beacham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most annoying book that I couldn't put down I think I have ever read. I couldn't stop reading it. I was mad at just about every character in the story.

[Carol J Pennington-York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provocative

Just goes to so that the more things change the more they stay the same. Peter went to Harvard but did he really learn anything? Being white, this was hard for me to read but perhaps I learned something.

[Leila McGrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulitzer author. 1922. Very good.