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Title details for Romance in Marseille by Claude Mckay - Available

Romance in Marseille

by Claude Mckay
Dion Graham
Audiobook
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Published for the first time, the pioneering novel of physical disability, transatlantic travel, black modernism, and one of the earliest overtly queer fictions in the African American tradition. Romance in Marseille traces the adventures of a rowdy troupe of dockworkers, prostitutes, and political organizers— collectively straight and queer, disabled and able-bodied, African, European, Caribbean, and American. Set largely in the culture-blending Vieux Port of Marseille at the height of the Jazz Age, the novel takes flight along with Lafala, an acutely disabled but abruptly wealthy West African sailor. While stowing away on a transatlantic ship, Lafala is discovered and locked in a frigid closet. Badly frostbitten by the time the boat docks, the once-nimble dancer loses both of his lower legs. Thanks to a successful lawsuit against the shipping line, Lafala doubles back to Marseille and resumes his trans-African affair with Aslima, a Moroccan courtesan. With its scenes of black bodies fighting for pleasure and liberty, McKay's novel explores the heritage of slavery amid an unforgiving modern economy.
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Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Edition: Unabridged

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  • ISBN: 9781980060727
  • File size: 163359 KB
  • Release date: February 11, 2020
  • Duration: 05:40:19
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Formats

OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Classic Literature Fiction Literature

Languages

English

Published for the first time, the pioneering novel of physical disability, transatlantic travel, black modernism, and one of the earliest overtly queer fictions in the African American tradition. Romance in Marseille traces the adventures of a rowdy troupe of dockworkers, prostitutes, and political organizers— collectively straight and queer, disabled and able-bodied, African, European, Caribbean, and American. Set largely in the culture-blending Vieux Port of Marseille at the height of the Jazz Age, the novel takes flight along with Lafala, an acutely disabled but abruptly wealthy West African sailor. While stowing away on a transatlantic ship, Lafala is discovered and locked in a frigid closet. Badly frostbitten by the time the boat docks, the once-nimble dancer loses both of his lower legs. Thanks to a successful lawsuit against the shipping line, Lafala doubles back to Marseille and resumes his trans-African affair with Aslima, a Moroccan courtesan. With its scenes of black bodies fighting for pleasure and liberty, McKay's novel explores the heritage of slavery amid an unforgiving modern economy.
Expand title description text
Classic Literature Fiction Literature
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