The Sellout – Paul Beatty (2015)
A blistering, satirical novel that won the Man Booker Prize, The Sellout follows an African American man who, in an outrageous attempt to reclaim his identity, tries to reinstate segregation and slavery in his fictional Los Angeles neighborhood. With razor-sharp wit and unapologetic humor, Beatty tackles race, politics, and social injustice in America, skewering stereotypes and societal norms with fearless audacity. The protagonist’s absurd legal battles and subversive antics force readers to confront uncomfortable truths about race and equality in a supposedly “post-racial” society.
If You Liked This, Try:
- White Teeth (Zadie Smith, 2000) – A multigenerational comedy of cultural identity and immigration.
- Erasure (Percival Everett, 2001) – A scathing satire on racial stereotypes in literature and publishing.
- The Underground Railroad (Colson Whitehead, 2016) – A reimagined historical odyssey with biting social commentary.
