The legacy of the relationship between African American writers and Communism in the US is a contested one. In Bitter with the Past but Sweet with the Dream, Cathy Bergin argues that in three novels, by seminal mid-century authors (Richard Wright, Chester Himes and Ralph Ellison), Communism is not dismissed as incapable of meeting the demands of black political identity, but is castigated for its refusal to do so. Bergin draws on the complex formations black political agency presumed and reproduced by American Communism during the Depression.

Features in Historical Materialism Promotion targeting left academic journals Published to coincide with the annual Historical Materialism conference Publicity and promotion in conjunction with the author's speaking engagements

About the Author
Cathy Bergin (DPhil (2004) is a Senior Lecturer in the Humanities Programme at the University of Brighton.


Book Information
ISBN 9781608466399
Author Cathy Bergin
Format Paperback
Page Count 222
Imprint Haymarket Books
Publisher Haymarket Books