From the author of bestselling Invisible Man—the classic novel of African-American experience—this long-awaited second novel tells an evocative tale of a prodigal of the twentieth century. Brilliantly crafted, moving, and wise, Juneteenth is the work of an American master.
"Tell me what happened while there's still time," demands the dying Senator Adam Sunraider to the itinerate preacher whom he calls Daddy Hickman. As a young man, Sunraider was Bliss, an orphan taken in by Hickman and raised to be a preacher like himself. Bliss's history encompasses the joys of young southern boyhood; bucolic days as a filmmaker, lovemaking in a field in the Oklahoma sun. And behind it all lies a mystery: how did this chosen child become the man who would deny everything to achieve his goals?
Here is the master of American vernacular at the height of his powers, evoking the rhythms of jazz and gospel and ordinary speech.
"An extraordinary book, a work of staggering virtuosity. With its publication, a giant world of literature has just grown twice as tall." —Newsday
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"Ellison's words have a way of drawing you in and holding you a willing captive and Juneteenth was no exception. I will admit to having numerous questions upon completion of this novel, but that in itself is not a bad thing. Rich characters, dynamic dialogue and a story-line that keeps you guessing (even upon completion)."
— Kayse (4 out of 5 stars)
“An extraordinary book, a work of staggering virtuosity. With its publication, a giant world of literature has just grown twice as tall.”
— Newsday“Ellison writes beautifully, in the grand, layered Southern tradition…A visionary tour de force, a lyrical, necessary contribution to America’s perennial racial dialogue, and a novel powerfully reinforcing Ellison’s place in literary history.”
— Publishers Weekly[A] vastly ambitious informing allegory, an allegory made rich, as in Invisible man, with the sensory details of which Ellison was such a master.
— The New York Review of Books[A] stunning achievement.... Juneteenth is a tour de force of untutored eloquence. Ellison sought no less than to create a Book of Blackness, a literary composition of the tradition at its most sublime and fundamental.
— Henry Louis Gates, Jr., TimeJuneteenth...threatens to come as close as any since Huckleberry Finn to grabbing the ring of the great American Novel.
— Los Angeles Times" I loved the story and the language in this book; but I must admit the the sermons were too numerous and got me wanting to skip pages....... "
— Janne, 2/20/2014" I wish ralph ellison had had time to finish this. It kind of reminds me of the movie AI. You know Kubrick had a vision for the film, but then he died, and then these other people came in and tried to piece together his vision as best they could. Juneteenth has so much that is good in it, but it is a bit confused, it reads as tho it is not finished. "
— Sonya, 2/13/2014" absolutely beautiful writing. his discussions of race and democracy set the book apart. "
— Frank, 2/4/2014" It is unfortunate that Ellison was unable to complete this novel. Invisible Man remains my favorite novel of all time because of the ease with which Ellison navigates such tricky and complex topics. Here, thematically there is much of the same: race, identity, religion, and politics, but Ellison approaches these subjects in a much different way. This is largely third-person (although the novel is constantly shifting) and because of that there is a new distance here. Also, there is no cohesion to the story at all; oftentimes there are italicized monologues, missing punctuation, etc. that really knocks me off track. There is no doubt in my mind that had Ellison finished this, it would have been a masterpiece. Nevertheless, it stands as a posthumous salute to an intriguing literary figure. "
— Ryan, 1/30/2014" An Amazon reviewer said it best: This is a brilliant disappointment. The material is rich with possibility - and most of what's here (aside from the abrupt, dissatisfying ending) fulfills that possibility. Really, the problem is that there isn't *more* story to flesh out the nuanced characters and their setting. "
— K.M., 1/25/2014" interesting book on texas emancipation history... "
— Chris, 1/8/2014" Ellison's unfinished second novel, issued years after his death, was panned by critics, yet there's plenty to like here if you enjoy his work. The prose is as good as it ever was - vivid, striking characters. "
— Aaron, 12/31/2013" Post humously published. Bliss is a white child adopted at birth by a black reverend and raised to be a preacher. He grows up to be a virulently racist senator. The novel is set in his hospital room after he is shot while giving a speech. "
— Linda, 12/29/2013" I think Ellison is easily one of the most important writers of the 20th century, and although this gets a little meandery at times, I chalk it up to the fact that it was edited after his death. Rich with history lessons and secrets to understanding the U.S. American soul. "
— Llana, 12/17/2013" This book was clearly an unpolished work by a master. It was an engaging story but a more difficult read than Invisible Man because it lacked the same shine and charisma of Ellison's polished writings. "
— Janice, 10/17/2013" Classic Ellison, in that he tackles huge ideas in a very specific, human way. Great writing, but I can see why he wasn't satisfied with it yet. It doesn't quite cohere. Still worth reading. "
— Cynical, 9/15/2013" It is somewhat hard to get into at first but when you realize whats going on it gets really good. Although Ellison unfortunately did not write this in its entirety himself, I consider it to be one of his greatest books. "
— Alexa, 5/17/2013" Tried for 2 weeks to get into the book. I started it over and over again. After struggling for 2 weeks and reaching only page 36! I gave up. Couldn't follow what was going on and at some point, I didn't care. "
— Linda, 2/17/2013" ralph ellison's unfinished second book. i read it a while ago, but i remember it felt like a dream. the story of a black man who passes for white and becomes a southern preacher. can't say much more since i haven't read it in a while but i do remember i was excited by this book. "
— Suzette, 10/24/2012" Kind of an epic beauty. I would give it more stars, but, of course, it's unfinished, since Ellison died before he completed it. Parts of it sing, parts of it are as elusive as Ulysses. "
— Connie, 10/14/2011" I was clear when I started reading this that it was not a finished novel, yet, even this considered I had a difficult time wading through it. Read Invisible Man instead. "
— Jenn, 8/31/2011" Pieced together from a monster manuscript that Ellison was never able to finish, intended to tell the story of black and white American history as essential to each other. Not a finished work, it contains astounding writing. The revival episode brings song, taste, smell, spirit to life, and moves. "
— Don, 8/20/2011" I didn't want this story to end. I was so moved by the oratory of one of the central characters. And this is but a fraction of the 2000 page work. "
— Carol, 3/27/2011" I had high expectations for this work as I loved Invisible Man. While there were moments of lyrical beauty, the rest of the work was disjointed and didn't flow. I found the ending very frustrating and I really wish Ellison had lived to finish his book. "
— Lubna, 11/29/2009" I loved the story and the language in this book; but I must admit the the sermons were too numerous and got me wanting to skip pages....... "
— Janne, 6/9/2009" I have to admit that I didn't finish this one. I got half way through and quit (this was a while ago). There are some very interesting ideas throughout, but I got a little tired of the first person narration that didn't move into dialog or anything else. <br/> <br/>I may pick it up again. Later. "
— Demisty, 2/18/2009Ralph Waldo Ellison (1914–1994) was an American novelist, literary critic, scholar, and writer. He is best known for his novel Invisible Man, which won the National Book Award in 1953. He also wrote Shadow and Act, a collection of political, social, and critical essays, and Going to the Territory.
Joe Morton is a winner of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards for audiobook narration. A graduate of Hofstra University’s drama program, he has an extensive list of film and television credits, including Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Speed, Smallville, and Eureka. He made his Broadway debut in Hair and was nominated for a Tony Award for the musical Raisin. In 2014 he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Scandal.