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Richard Wright: Daemonic Genius

Name: Richard Wright: Daemonic Genius
Author: Margaret Walker
ISBN: 9781567430042

by Margaret Walker

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Overview

The hardcover publication of this work resulted in a landmark case, Ellen Wright v. Warner Books Inc. and Margaret Walker. The court ruled in favor of Walker and Warner Books Inc. in a precedent setting opinion. The court's decision, as well as the opinion of the presiding judges is included in this volume.

The only critical biography of Richard Wright written by another accomplished African American writer, scholar, and close friend of one of America's greatest contributors to literature. Carefully annotated (sometimes using Wright's own letters to Walker) with a bibliographical essay and guide to Wright studies. Subject of a legal dispute over using an author's unpublished materials, this book contains an opinion of one of the presiding judges.

About the Author, Margaret Walker

Margaret Walker is the author of nine books, including the bestseller, Jubilee. Her book of poetry, For My People, which won the Yale Younger Poets Competition in 1942, is considered an American classic.

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Editorials

Library Journal

Walkerpoet, novelist, and professor, and a close friend of Wright in Chicagoportrays him as pursued by the devils of anger, alienation, and ambivalence. Setting personal impressions against a somewhat pedantic background of literary and historical influences, Walker argues that despite success the dread Wright knew in a violent childhood never left him. Further, she criticizes him for the negative treatment of women, especially black women, in his work, attributing it to self-hatred, and for his misunderstanding of black Africa. Awkward and repetitive as it sometimes is, this book adds fresh information and helpful insights to current biographies of Wright. Milton Meltzer, New York