Published in 1930, near the end of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes's Not Without Laughter is a coming-of-age narrative about James "Sandy" Rogers, an African-American boy from the small Kansas town of Stanton. Loosely based on Hughes's own childhood in Kansas, the novel traces the challenges of African-American life in the Midwest during the years leading up to World War I. Sensitive topics include racism and experiences of poverty within the African-American community.

Langston Hughes's Not Without Laughter beautifully captures African American life during the early 20th century, showcasing rich, emotional storytelling and compelling character development. However, some readers find its pacing slow and plot somewhat meandering. Hughes’s poetic prose and cultural insights remain praised, making it a vital read despite minor flaws.

A reader who enjoys Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes would appreciate rich, culturally insightful narratives focusing on African American life during the early 20th century. Fans of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and James Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain will find this novel equally compelling for its poetic prose and social themes.

Bittersweet / Contemplative / Melancholic / Nostalgic / Emotional

Langston Hughes

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Chapters 1-4

Not Without Laughter Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-11

Not Without Laughter Chapters 5-11 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 12-16

Not Without Laughter Chapters 12-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 17-22

Not Without Laughter Chapters 17-22 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 23-27

Not Without Laughter Chapters 23-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-30

Not Without Laughter Chapters 28-30 Summary & Analysis

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Not Without Laughter Character Analysis

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Not Without Laughter

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