Native Son, Revised
Posted on January 26, 2009 by Tito
I hadn’t been aware that there were different versions of Native Son. So now, I have as good a reason as any to re-read the book. In the meantime, I’ll think a bit on the question of when “editing” ends and “expurgation” begins.
Reading through the appendix, as it turns out the book was originally published by Harper, in conjunction with the Book of the Month Club. (It would eventually be the first Book of the Month Club selection by an African American author.) It seems as if Harper was amenable to publishing the book consistent with Wright’s artistic vision, but the club (presumably fearing its members’ sensitive natures or even government censors) took exception to several passages, most notably a sex-tinged scene in a movie theater balcony towards the beginning of the story. Wright acquiesed, probably grudgingly, to the club’s wishes, and completely rewrote the theater scene.
(From PeteLit)
» Filed Under Books, Liberal Media Conspiracies, Sex, Writers
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