Book description
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s original, groundbreaking study explores the relationship between the African and African-American vernacular traditions and black literature, elaborating a new critical approach located within this tradition that allows the black voice to speak for itself. Examining the ancient poetry and myths found in African, Latin American, and…
- Coming soon!
Why read it?
1 author picked The Signifying Monkey as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
The Signifying Monkey is the groundbreaking theoretical study of the role of folklore in African American literature.
I could not put it down when I first read it. It was required reading for my literature students. I have probably quoted it in at least four essays. Gates is, of course, the leading scholar of African American literature. He set the standard for all of us who write and teach in this field.
From Daryl's list on African American folklore.
If you love The Signifying Monkey...
Love Letter from Pig
In 1964, the FBI found smoldering remains of the station wagon that James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman were driving before they disappeared at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan. Shortly after, Julie Kabat’s beloved brother Luke arrived in Mississippi as a volunteer to assist Black civil rights…
Want books like The Signifying Monkey?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Signifying Monkey.
Share your top 3 reads of 2025!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,277
readers submitted
so far, will you?
