Ragtime by E L Doctorow

This is an involved novel of historical fiction.  It is a little depressing but interesting.

There is a white family that have no names and are just called by their family titles, Father, Mother, younger brother, etc.  They take in a black maid and her young son.  The boy's father keeps coming around to woo the mother.  He is involved in a horribly violent incident and struggles to regain his pride.  There is also a Jewish father and daughter in New York that become involved in the story.  An interesting thing to me is that the black and Jewish families have names and more defined identities than the white family.  Another interesting thing is the inclusion of historical figures like Henry Ford who somewhat randomly appear in the narrative.  By the end of the book, all three families are inter-connected in a supposed representation of the American "melting pot."

This book has some serious racially-motivated violence that is inappropriate for younger readers.

Ragtime isn't my favorite book, but it is interesting.  Some of the characters get your attention and keep it.  It is worth the time but isn't a purely entertaining read.

The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

I really didn't love this book and struggled to finish it.  It is very political and seems completely about race, but not in a straightforward or clear manner.   It has lots of mysticism and cynicism, neither of which are my favorite!  The beginning moved especially slowly, although it picks up the pace toward the second half. 

This is the story of a nameless black man.  He starts at a black university in the deep south and is expelled through no fault of his own.  He goes to New York to find a job and learns he was betrayed by the black college's president.  He gets a job at a paint factory and is involved in a work accident when a boiler explodes.  This is followed by a very bizarre episode when he seems to receive electroshock therapy in the factory hospital as treatment after the accident--a very confusing event that is never explained.  I especially don't like it because it raises the possibility that the character's thoughts and conclusions after this event could be incorrect because of damage to his brain or colored by mental illness if the treatment was actually necessary.  This one seemingly pointless episode can negate the whole book!  After the factory he becomes involved in a political movement, which seems to be communism.  The story culminates in a race riot in Harlem.

I wouldn't suggest this book for young readers.  The way it discusses race is pretty intense.  There is discussion of incest and rape.  There is a little swearing but not much.  The riot is pretty violent and upsetting.  Not a super uplifting book!

This book has some interesting points and can make you think, although it feels like it doesn't completely own its sentiments.  It is challenging and takes a fairly large time commitment so be prepared.  I wouldn't recommend it for sheer entertainment but it is worth a read.