Book

Romance in Marseille / Claude McKay ; edited and with an introduction by Gary Edward Holcomb and William J. Maxwell.

McKay, Claude, 1890-1948 (author.). Holcomb, Gary Edward, (editor,, writer of introduction.). Maxwell, William J. (College teacher), (editor,, writer of introduction.).

Summary:

"Buried in the archive for almost ninety years, Claude McKay's 'Romance in Marseille' traces the adventures of a rowdy troupe of dockworkers, prostitutes, and political organizers - collectively straight and queer, disabled and able-bodied, African, European, Caribbean, and American. Set largely in the culture-blending Vieux Port of Marseille at the height of the Jazz Age, the novel takes flight along with Lafala, an acutely disabled but abruptly wealthy West African sailor."-- Provided by publisher.

Buried in the archive for almost ninety years, Claude McKay's novel traces the adventures of a rowdy troupe of dockworkers, prostitutes, and political organizers. Set largely in the culture-blending Vieux Port of Marseille at the height of the Jazz Age, it features characters who are straight and queer, disabled and able-bodied, African, European, Caribbean, and American. While stowing away on a transatlantic ship, Lafala is discovered and locked in a frigid closet. The dancer loses part of both legs to frostbite. Thanks to a successful lawsuit against the shipping line, Lafala doubles back to Marseille and resumes his trans-African affair with Aslima, a Moroccan courtesan. With its scenes of black bodies fighting for pleasure and liberty, McKay's novel explores the heritage of slavery amid an unforgiving modern economy. -- adapted from publisher info and back cover.

Record details

ISBN: 9780143134220
ISBN: 0143134221
Physical Description: li, 165 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm.
Publisher: [New York, New York] : Penguin Books, [2020]
Copyright: ©2020

Content descriptions

General Note:	Place of publication taken from publisher's website.
Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references.
Formatted Contents Note:	Introduction / by Gary Edward Holcomb and William J. Maxwell -- A note on the text -- Romance in Marseille. First Part ; Second Part ; Third Part -- Suggestions for further reading -- Explanatory notes.