Bricks Without Straw: A Novel

"Bricks Without Straw" by Albion Winegar Tourgée is a story set during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War, where newly freed people are trying to figure out what freedom really means. The book centers on Nimbus, a former slave, as he deals with changing his name and understanding the impact of freedom on his life. He begins by pondering the difficulties he and others face in creating new identities. A conversation between Nimbus and a friend highlights the complications of forging a new path and the societal consequences that come with it. The story touches on important ideas such as figuring out who you are, dealing with the lasting effects of slavery, and searching for a sense of self and community in a world that's rapidly changing.