About the book
A groundbreaking, yet controversial novel of the Harlem Renaissance about a young, dark-skinned Black woman reckoning with colorism as she navigates 1920s Harlem, reissued and repackaged for the Herald Classics line.
Emma Lou Morgan’s dark complexion is a source of sorrow and humiliation—not only to herself, but also to her lighter-skinned family members and the white community of her hometown, Boise, Idaho. Hoping to find a safe haven, Emma travels to New York’s Harlem, the Black Mecca of the 1920s. Wallace Thurman brings to life this legendary time and place in rich detail, describing Emma’s visits to nightclubs, dance halls, and house-rent parties, her sex life and catastrophic love affairs, her dreams and her disillusions—and the momentous decision she makes to survive.
A lost classic of Black American literature, The Blacker the Berry is a compelling portrait of the destructive depth of intra-racial bias in the Black community.
Editions of Blacker the Berry
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781454960157
- EBook
- ISBN 9781454960164
Read an Excerpt
A groundbreaking, yet controversial novel of the Harlem Renaissance about a young, dark-skinned Black woman reckoning with colorism as she navigates 1920s Harlem, reissued and repackaged for the Herald Classics line.
Emma Lou Morgan’s dark complexion is a source of sorrow and humiliation—not only to herself, but also to her lighter-skinned family members and the white community of her hometown, Boise, Idaho. Hoping to find a safe haven, Emma travels to New York’s Harlem, the Black Mecca of the 1920s. Wallace Thurman brings to life this legendary time and place in rich detail, describing Emma’s visits to nightclubs, dance halls, and house-rent parties, her sex life and catastrophic love affairs, her dreams and her disillusions—and the momentous decision she makes to survive.
A lost classic of Black American literature, The Blacker the Berry is a compelling portrait of the destructive depth of intra-racial bias in the Black community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blacker the Berry about?
A groundbreaking, yet controversial novel of the Harlem Renaissance about a young, dark-skinned Black woman reckoning with colorism as she navigates 1920s Harlem, reissued and repackaged for the Herald Classics line.
Emma Lou Morgan’s dark complexion is a source of sorrow and humiliation—not only to herself, but also to her lighter-skinned family members and the white community of her hometown, Boise, Idaho. Hoping to find a safe haven, Emma travels to New York’s Harlem, the Black Mecca of the 1920s. Wallace Thurman brings to life this legendary time and place in rich detail, describing Emma’s visits to nightclubs, dance halls, and house-rent parties, her sex life and catastrophic love affairs, her dreams and her disillusions—and the momentous decision she makes to survive.
A lost classic of Black American literature, The Blacker the Berry is a compelling portrait of the destructive depth of intra-racial bias in the Black community.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Blacker the Berry?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Classic fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of Blacker the Berry?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781454960157
Is Blacker the Berry part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Herald Classics
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Blacker the Berry?
Wallace Thurman
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Blacker the Berry is available as paperback(ISBN 9781454960157) and ebook(ISBN 9781454960164)
Where can I buy Blacker the Berry online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Blacker the Berry from below
Where can I buy Blacker the Berry?