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Literary Fiction· United States

Native Son

by Richard Wright
Aggregate Editorial Score45/100
TIME 100 Best Novels
Published 1940399 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Native Son by Richard Wright is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1940. Bigger Thomas, a young Black man living in 1930s Chicago, accidentally kills a white woman and flees—the crime forcing a confrontation with the racism that has shaped him. Wright's disturbing, powerful novel was a landmark of protest fiction and one of the most controversial American novels of the twentieth century. Themes of race, poverty, fear run through the work. The book has received recognition from TIME 100 Best Novels 1940.

Book Details

AuthorRichard Wright
Published1940
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages399
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780061148507
Editorial Score45/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Richard Wright published Native Son in 1940, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United States. The book's treatment of race, poverty, fear, protest accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Native Son among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: TIME 100 Best Novels 1940. Our aggregate score of 45/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. The appeal of Native Son lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of race, poverty, fear, protest is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Native Son reflects Richard Wright's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

TIME 100 Best Novels
list · global
194021
✍️
About the Author
Richard Wright
United States
View Author →

Richard Wright is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Native Son about?

Bigger Thomas, a young Black man living in 1930s Chicago, accidentally kills a white woman and flees—the crime forcing a confrontation with the racism that has shaped him. Wright's disturbing, powerful novel was a landmark of protest fiction and one of the most controversial American novels of the twentieth century.

Who wrote Native Son?

Native Son was written by Richard Wright, from United States. First published in 1940.

What awards has Native Son won?

Native Son has received the following awards and honours: TIME 100 Best Novels 1940.

Is Native Son worth reading?

Native Son is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 21/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in race, poverty, fear.

Where can I buy Native Son?

You can buy Native Son on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Native Son?

Native Son is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Native Son from?

Native Son originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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