Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt
Charles Waddell Chesnutt was an American author, essayist, political activist, and lawyer, best known for his novels and short stories exploring complex issues of racial and social identity in the post-Civil War South. Two of his books were adapted as silent films in 1926 and 1927 by the African-American director and producer Oscar Micheaux. Following the Civil Rights Movement during the 20th century, interest in the works of Chesnutt was revived. Several of his books were published in new editions, and he received formal recognition. A commemorative stamp was printed in 2008.
The House Behind the Cedars
In the post-Civil War South, a brother helps his sister navigate hidden identities, personal dreams, and the harsh realities of a society divided by race.
By Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt
The Conjure Woman
In the post-Civil War South, a former enslaved man uses enchanting folktales to navigate a world of shifting social dynamics and lingering superstitions.
By Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt
The Marrow of Tradition
In a racially divided Southern town after the Civil War, the birth of a child stirs up hidden tensions and reveals the intertwined fates of families divided by history.
By Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt
Frederick Douglass A Biography
Witness the incredible transformation of a slave into a celebrated champion for civil rights, whose words ignited a nation and whose actions helped dismantle the walls of prejudice.
By Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt
The Colonel's Dream
A wealthy man returns to his Southern hometown after the Civil War, seeking to reconcile his past with the present and confront the racial inequalities that still plague the community.
By Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt
The Wife of his Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line, and Selected Essays
In a world divided by color, individuals grapple with identity, love, and the search for belonging as they confront the complexities of post-Civil War America.
By Charles W. (Charles Waddell) Chesnutt