Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments

by Saidiya Hartman
Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments cover
Good Books rating 4.5
History
Technical:
  • ID: 678
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9780393285680
  • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
  • Published: 2019-02-19
  • Formats: 26
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99

Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments delves into the revolutionary intimate lives of young Black women in Philadelphia and New York at the turn of the 20th century. These women challenged the constraints of respectability and law, forging their own paths in love, labor, and kinship. Their bold experiments in living were driven by desire and a quest for freedom, ultimately transforming the cultural landscape of their cities. The book masterfully blends history and literary imagination to bring these radical aspirations to life, crediting these women for their pivotal role in shaping a cultural movement. It is a richly researched and beautifully written exploration of a forgotten history that has been awarded numerous accolades, including the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism and the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction.

Reviews
Cleaver Magazine · Gabriel Chazan · 2025-09-19
inspiring 4.25

The book offers possibilities within waywardness and should be read as an active text within the present. It is not just a chronicle of the past.

Gabriel Chazan views this book as an offering of possibilities within waywardness that should be read widely as an active text within the present. They emphasize that it is not just a chronicle of the past but a relevant and engaging exploration of social upheaval and the lives of young black women. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to connect historical narratives with contemporary issues, making it a timely and necessary read. They highlight the book's potential to inspire and provoke thought, making it a valuable addition to current discussions about race and social justice.

Quick quotes

    This book is an offering of possibilities within waywardness.

    It should be read widely as an active text within the present.

    Not simply a chronicle of the past.

The Berkshire Edge · 2020-07-25
insightful 4.50

This book is timely and offers a compelling perspective on race and racism. It challenges conventional notions of historical narratives.

This review highlights how the book arrives at a crucial moment when the nation is deeply engaged in discussions about race and racism. The reviewer praises the book for its unique approach to historical storytelling, which defies traditional notions of what a book should be. They appreciate the fresh perspective it brings to the table, making it a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about social justice and historical representation.

Quick quotes

    Wayward Lives is a gift offered at the perfect time when, finally, the nation is engaged in a compelling conversation about race and racism.

    It defies our usual notions of a book.

    The book is a timely and necessary read.

The New York Times · 2019-02-19
exhilarating 4.75

The book brings to life forgotten histories with rich detail and profound literary intelligence. It is a breath of fresh air in historical narratives.

The reviewer describes this book as a rich resurrection of a forgotten history, which is characteristic of the author's work. They highlight the profound literary intelligence and radical scholarship that Hartman brings to the table. The reviewer finds the book exhilarating and praises it for its ability to bring to life the stories of young black women in a way that is both intimate and powerful. They appreciate the fresh perspective it offers, making it a standout work in the realm of historical non-fiction.

Quick quotes

    Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments is a rich resurrection of a forgotten history.

    Her work has always examined the lives of those who have been marginalized.

    It is an exhilarating work of history.

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