‘The thought did not cross my mind that he was different from me, and even if it had, the mystery would not thereby have been explained; for, notwithstanding my changed relations with most of my schoolmates, I had only a faint knowledge of prejudice and no idea at all how it ramified and affected our entire social organism. I felt, however, that there was something about the whole affair which had to be hid.’ – J. W. J

Written by James Weldon Johnson and published in 1912, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is a moving and unforgettable story of a man caught between two worlds, forever wrestling with the question of who he truly is. As he reflects on his life, the main protagonist must choose between the privilege of white society and the cultural ties to his African-American roots.

Exploring themes of identity, social injustice, and discrimination, Johnson’s novel has been hailed as one of the early works in African-American literature to critically engage with these issues.

This new edition comes with an Easy to Read Layout designed to make reading comfortable.