The Best of Simple (American Century Series, Ac39)

Rating:
Summary: This Man Does It All!
Review: I love this book. Simple reminds me of all the men I know where there is that thin line of love and hate but you just can't help but love them and their wit. For anyone who needs a few good laughs and enjoys Langston Hughes you won't be dissapointed because Mr. Hughes truly does it all!

Rating:
Summary: Simply Wonderful
Review: IT HAS INSPIRED ME IN MY WRITINGS AS A POET AND A WRITER. LANGSTON HUGHES IS TRULY A MASTER OF HIS CRAFT

Rating:
Summary: Simply Timeless
Review: Many people praise the poetry of Langston Hughes, but I believe that his prose is just as relevant in regards to social criticism, and as magnificent in form. Reading Simple's tall tales, and his anecdotes as he experienced Harlem reminded me of the stories my Grandparents told of how Chicago was during the great Northern Migration. This collection is a wonderful introduction to Jesse B. Simple

Rating:
Summary: Simply Timeless
Review: Many people praise the poetry of Langston Hughes, but I believe that his prose is just as relevant in regards to social criticism, and as magnificent in form. Reading Simple's tall tales, and his anecdotes as he experienced Harlem reminded me of the stories my Grandparents told of how Chicago was during the great Northern Migration. This collection is a wonderful introduction to Jesse B. Simple

Rating:
Summary: Social and racial commentary thru dialogue
Review: Simple is one of those characters you'll never forget. A low class working African-American man of little education but with a lot of common wisdom, he attends the same bar and has discussions with the bartender (ie. the narrator) regarding social and, most important, racial issues during that period in America (the '50s). Somewhat dated now (or that's what we hope), the stories are still enjoyable. What makes it so enjoyable is the great dialogue, which is of such clever wit. From the first line that Simple utters, it defines him: "If you want to know about my life, don't look at my face, don't look at my hands. Look at my feet and see if you can tell how long I been standing on them." No wonder Langston Hughes later turned to writing for the theatre. It's a pity he's not around anymore. Most movies today could really use someone like him to craft their dialogue.

Rating:
Summary: This Man Does It All!
Review: This is one of my favorite Langston Hughes books. His character Simple reminds me of one of my friends. Always bumming money for his vises and having women problems seems to be Simple's lot in life which he bears with hilarious results. Langston Hughes is funny as his put upon friend dealing with Simple's strange but oddly common sense philosphies about just about everything from feet to cops to women. This book is worth reading if for no other reason than that you will find that one of your friends is Simple in disguise.

Rating:
Summary: Langston Hughes at his best
Review: This is one of my favorite Langston Hughes books. His character Simple reminds me of one of my friends. Always bumming money for his vises and having women problems seems to be Simple's lot in life which he bears with hilarious results. Langston Hughes is funny as his put upon friend dealing with Simple's strange but oddly common sense philosphies about just about everything from feet to cops to women. This book is worth reading if for no other reason than that you will find that one of your friends is Simple in disguise.