72 pages • 2 hours read
Ta-Nehisi CoatesThe Beautiful Struggle
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2008A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a memoir detailing his childhood and teenage years in various Baltimore neighborhoods, focusing on his family's dynamics, particularly his father, a strict disciplinarian with radical political views, and his brother Big Bill, committed to street "Knowledge." As Coates navigates different schools, he transitions from a spacey kid to a more Conscious young adult, culminating in his acceptance to Howard University and leaving the reader with a sense of hope for his younger brother's future, free from the violence of the 80s. The book discusses the realities of inner-city violence and systemic challenges experienced by the Black community.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates receives high praise for its lyrical prose and emotional depth, depicting the complexities of growing up Black in America. Critics commend Coates' vivid storytelling and reflective tone. However, some find the narrative structure challenging. Overall, it's celebrated for its poignant and compelling insights.
Who Should Read The Beautiful Struggle?
Readers who appreciate The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates often enjoy poignant, introspective memoirs about personal and cultural identity. Fans of Between the World and Me by Coates or The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin will find its themes of fatherhood, race, and resilience especially compelling and relatable.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1000LBook Details
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Music
Relationships: Family
Race / Racism