The Strangers

by Ekow Eshun
The Strangers cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Biography and Memoir
Technical
  • ID: 3961
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9780241990704
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2024-09-19
  • Reviews: 3

The Strangers is a deeply moving and imaginative portrait of five extraordinary Black men, each a trailblazer in their respective fields. Through the stories of Ira Aldridge, Matthew Henson, Frantz Fanon, Malcolm X, and Justin Fashanu, Ekow Eshun explores the complexities of identity, isolation, and the performance required to navigate a world that often sees them as strangers. /n/n Eshun's lyrical and empathetic storytelling captures the beauty and hostility these men experienced, weaving their personal journeys into a broader tapestry of Black art, culture, history, and politics. This book is a profound meditation on exile, escape, and the search for belonging, offering a unique perspective on the Black experience across continents.

Reviews
WritersMosaic Magazine · 2024-12-25
compassionate 4.75

The book is beautifully conceived and told with compassion and creativity, with the author's decision to speak through the men's voices adding a unique perspective.

The reviewer is captivated by the book's unique approach, where Eshun speaks through the voices of the five historical figures. They praise the book's compassionate and creative storytelling, which brings a fresh perspective to the lives of these remarkable men. The reviewer also highlights the intimate and empathetic portrayal of each figure, making their stories feel personal and relatable.

Quick quotes

    It is beautifully conceived and told with equal parts compassion and creativity.

    What makes it is Eshun's decision to 'speak through the men's voices.'

    An intimate portrait of five remarkable Black men, and a meditation on race, estrangement and the search for home.

The Guardian · 2024-11-23
insightful 4.50

The book uses historical figures to connect past struggles with contemporary issues, highlighting the author's own experiences of alienation. The writing is praised for its lyrical and empathetic portrayal of these figures.

The reviewer appreciates how the book weaves together the lives of historical figures like Malcolm X and Justin Fashanu to illuminate ongoing struggles with race and identity. They highlight the author's ability to convey both the beauty and hostility these men faced, making their stories resonate deeply. The reviewer also notes the personal touch Eshun brings, linking these historical narratives to his own experiences of estrangement.

Quick quotes

    From Malcolm X to Justin Fashanu, Eshun uses historical figures to illuminate contemporary struggles – and his own alienation.

    The author inhabits the perspective of five figures, from Malcolm X to footballer Justin Fashanu, in this lyrical account of their lives.

    Ekow Eshun tells their stories with breathtaking lyricism and empathy, capturing both the hostility and the beauty they experienced in the world.

The Skinny · 2024-09-17
compelling 4.25

The book explores the histories and contexts of five historical Black men, offering a deep dive into the factors that shaped their lives.

The reviewer commends Eshun for his thorough exploration of the historical and social contexts that shaped the lives of the five men featured in the book. They appreciate the depth of research and the nuanced portrayal of each individual's journey. The reviewer also notes how the book provides a broader understanding of the struggles and triumphs of these figures, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    In this non-fiction narrative of five historical Black Men, Ekow Eshun explores the histories and contexts that formed them.

    This is a blog reflecting on the concepts of the imaginary that constitute the interior space of Black masculinity as five different Black men through history.

    Her anecdotes are humorous, heartfelt, and supremely captivating, recounted with the passion of a true survivor and the acerbic wit of a weathered, street-wise individual.

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