Citizen: An American Lyric

by Claudia Rankine
Citizen: An American Lyric cover
Good Books rating 4.49
Poetry
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  • ID: 630
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781555973483
  • Publisher: Graywolf Press
  • Published: 2014-10-07
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Citizen by Claudia Rankine is a groundbreaking work that delves into the persistent and often overlooked racial aggressions experienced in contemporary life. Through a mix of poetry, essay, and visual imagery, Rankine captures the subtle and overt acts of racism that permeate daily interactions, media, and public spaces. The book is a testament to the cumulative effect of these encounters on individual and collective identities, challenging the notion of a 'post-race' society. Winner of numerous awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award in Poetry and the NAACP Image Award, Citizen is a provocative and necessary read. Rankine's work has been widely acclaimed, appearing on numerous 'Best of the Year' lists and solidifying her status as a vital voice in modern literature. The book's innovative format and profound insights make it a standout in the realm of poetry and social commentary.

Reviews
Calyx Press · 2017-12-02
Thought-provoking 4.20

The book provides a personal and intricate look at racism, showcasing its pervasive nature. It is a compelling exhibition of both personal and systemic racism.

This review emphasizes how the book offers a personal and intricate look at racism, making it relatable and impactful. The reviewer appreciates the way Rankine illustrates the pervasive nature of racism, both at a personal level and within society. They find the book to be a compelling exhibition of how racism manifests in different forms, making it a crucial read for understanding the complexities of racial issues. The reviewer is impressed by the depth and nuance in the book's exploration of these themes.

Quick quotes

    Citizen is Rankine's indisputable exhibition of how racism exists for her at a personal/micro level and also how intrinsic and inherent racism is.

    It's an essay in Civics. How we get along. The messy complexity of that.

    The messy complexity of that.

Brevity Magazine · 2016-01-18
necessary 4.75

Rankine's prose is sharp and beautiful, making the book both a joy and a challenge to read. The mirror held up to society is tough to bear but necessary.

The reviewer praises Claudia Rankine's razor-sharp mind and her clean, sparse prose, which makes the book both a joy and a challenge to read. The work is described as tough to bear due to its unflinching examination of societal issues, but the reviewer emphasizes its necessity. The book is seen as a mirror held up to society, reflecting uncomfortable truths that are essential for understanding contemporary issues.

Quick quotes

    Rankine's mind is razor sharp, her prose clean, sparse and beautiful.

    She is a joy to read, but tough to bear as she holds up a mirror to who we are.

    It is a rich and closely felt collection of image and language that evokes the experience and the expectations of a life where skin colour matters.

The Guardian · 2015-08-30
profound 4.50

The book challenges readers to confront their own assumptions about casual racism. It is a powerful and thought-provoking work that leaves a lasting impact.

This review highlights the fearless confrontation of casual racism presented in the book. The reviewer emphasizes how the work challenges readers to question their own assumptions and biases. The impact of the book is described as profound, leaving a lasting impression on those who engage with it. The reviewer appreciates the boldness of the work and its relevance in contemporary society.

Quick quotes

    A fearless confrontation of casual racism challenges the reader to question their own assumptions.

    It is an especially vital book for this moment in time.

    Claudia Rankine's bold new book recounts mounting racial aggressions in ongoing encounters in 21st century daily life and in the media.

The New Yorker · Dan Chiasson · 2014-10-20
vital 4.50

The book is timely and vital, offering a powerful meditation on race in America. It is a significant work that resonates deeply with current societal issues.

Dan Chiasson highlights the timeliness and vitality of the book, describing it as an especially important work for the current moment. The reviewer appreciates the book's powerful meditation on race in America, noting its significance and deep resonance with contemporary societal issues. The book is seen as a crucial contribution to the ongoing conversation about race and identity.

Quick quotes

    It is an especially vital book for this moment in time.

    Claudia Rankine's bold new book recounts mounting racial aggressions in ongoing encounters in 21st century daily life and in the media.

    The book is an appalling song she sings, daring America to deny this shameful behavior.

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