The Fire Next Time? A Critical Survey of Belles Lettres by and about Negroes Published in 1963

Discussed are: J. Baldwin's THE FIRE NEXT TIME, which advocates Negroes' acceptance of whites through love, & is considered a powerful book though providing no new solution; W. G. Smith's THE STONE FACE, a study of an Amer Negro's encounters with cruelty in the US & abroad, showing some psychol'al insight; J. A. Williams' SISSIE, a well-written psychol'al novel, though over-elaborate; C. Wright's THE MES- SENGER, a 'Tom Jones' type of novel which suffers from underdeveloped characterization & chaotic presentation; M. E. Vroman's ESTHER, a one-dimensional melodramatic study of Negro-white relations; G. Parks' THE LEARNING TREE, characterized as disappointingly ridden with dull stereotypes; R. Wright's LAWD TODAY, an unimaginative melodrama whose techniques & concepts are hardly typical of the more mature Wright; & J. Edward's IF WE MUST DIE, an extremely poor novel about Negro voting in the South. In addition, 2 anthologies are described: A. Bontemps' AMERICAN NEGRO POETRY, which though not sufficiently representative, serves to upgrade 'the Negro image'; & H. Hills' SOON ONE MORNING, a more ambitious collection of essays, fiction, & poetry. A. Chapman.