I’m fascinated by the afterlives of books — the degree to which their receptions ebb and flow over time. The Man Who Cried I Am was first published in 1967; it was a bestseller, then it went out of print. The author, John A. Williams, had a reputation for being “perennially underrated” and was frequently compared to contemporaries like Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin but never achieved the widespread acclaim of those writers.
Upon reading The Man Who I Cried I Am, I can see why it was successful when it came out, but also why more contemporary readers might find some elements of the novel unseemly. It’s a compelling historical account of the pervasiveness of racism in Black life, a political thriller, and a gossipy ode to the publishing and news industries of old all wrapped in one novel.
Max Reddick, a novelist and foreign news correspondent, is in Amsterdam; he has cancer but has come to settle the final affairs of his friend and literary rival, the late Harry Ames. Pinging back and forth in time, we see Max in his prime as a young writer, meeting Harry for the first time at a party on Long Island, and later Harry’s attempts to further his career with a prestigious fellowship that is inexplicably revoked, he believes, because he is married to a white woman. We follow Max as he travels on reporting trips — first in the South, where he witnesses firsthand the savage anger of white segregationists, then in Europe, Nigeria, and Congo.
There’s a plot point involving the death of a Nigerian diplomat and a shady political alliance, but to me the most compelling parts of the book are observational. The scenes set in Nigeria and Congo are written with admirable specificity, and Max’s brief stint as a speechwriter for a president who’s never named but seems to be based on Kennedy goes far in demonstrating the hollow bromides of many white liberals in that time period. Williams’s depiction of New York’s publishing and media industries, riven with racism but flush with money, is fascinating to read from the vantage point of 2022.
The casual sexism and pervasive anti-gay sentiments in this novel are another matter, though. Williams deploys the f-word throughout in shockingly callous and casual ways. According to the New York Times’ obituary of the author, he saw Norman Mailer and John Updike as his true contemporaries. He certainly replicates their misogyny and homophobia. You could argue he was a product of his time, but that has always felt like a cop-out to me.
The presence of these two elements makes it hard for me to recommend this book full-throatedly, but I really did enjoy reading it for the most part. As a historical record, it is worthwhile. —Tomi Obaro
Did you read…?
It’s Official: Wife Guys Are Out
Ned Fulmer and Adam Levine are proof that nothing good comes from monetizing your role as a patriarchal monogamy doer — especially when you can’t even do the monogamy part.
Adam Levine’s (Alleged) Sexts Are Amazingly Bad
Famous people have never had to beg for a morsel of attention; it makes sense that their sexts might suck.
“Sad Girl” Books Can Be Racist
The young women romanticizing the protagonists of books like Girl, Interrupted and My Year of Rest and Relaxation are missing something crucial.
“Don’t Worry Darling” Is Actually Just Fine
Florence Pugh carries this movie, which is in theaters now.
“Love Is Blind” Is Just So Depressing Now
The Netflix show touted itself as a more sincere version of other dating reality shows. But the messy aftermath of Season 2 proves it’s just as ludicrous.
Harry Styles Wants To Act But He Shouldn’t
His roles in My Policeman and Don’t Worry Darling leave much to be desired.
In A New Episode, “Serial” Can’t Catch Up With Its Own Story
The blockbuster podcast Serial made Adnan Syed a household name. But its influence on true crime reporting isn’t so clear-cut.
If Your Household Makes $100,000 A Year, We Want To Hear What Life Is Like
Six figures is surely a lot of money, but in this high-cost environment, how far does it get you?
8 New Movies To Look Forward To This Fall
These are the films we loved from the Toronto International Film Festival.
The Internet Loves A Short King, But Height Bias On Dating Apps Is Still Very Common
While a preference for taller men isn’t new, dating apps make it feel more blatant.
Billy Eichner’s “Bros” Is For Everyone — For Better And Worse
Billy Eichner’s new movie is too self-conscious about being a mainstream gay rom-com. But he still makes it work.
The History Behind 16 Iconic Looks From The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O
Karen O’s costume designer tells us what goes into the singer’s unique styles.
We Want To Know If You Have Complicated Feelings About Your Pandemic Pet
We’re looking to talk to people whose changing schedules have affected pet care.
BuzzFeed News Wants To Hear From People Who Regret Buying A House In The Past Two Years
Did buying a home in the past two years turn out to be a questionable financial decision? BuzzFeed News would like to know why. ●
.png "LCD Soundsystem Announce Even More North American Tour Dates")
:quality(85):upscale()/2026/04/20/723/n/1922564/80d8b98269e6527f642929.34142853_.jpg "Kendall Jenner's Dog Accessory Was the Highlight of Her Coachella Outfit")
:quality(85):upscale()/2026/04/13/934/n/1922564/03fde3dd69dd5f3329e5d5.08160835_.png "We Channeled the '90s in Guess For Coachella Weekend – Starting at")
