Native Son by Richard Wright

This was a deeply memorable read for me due to the disturbing stream-of-consciousness scene in Mary Dalton’s bedroom, and its consequences; and the controversial courtroom scene at the end of the novel. Written in 1940, it’s the story of a poor African American man from the south side of Chicago. It is divided into three sections- fear, flight, and fate; and gives the reader an extraordinary insight into the plight of the poor, black man. The main character Bigger Thomas only experiences free will and a sense of freedom through his acts of  murder. The insights into race and social class are disturbing and provocative. Religion and tenets of communism are deftly used to deepen the issues. This book is often overlooked and is listed frequently as one of the best books written in the English language in the 20th century.