Can you recommend some books about race and textiles in fiction?

Answer 1

One such book could be 'The Warmth of Other Suns' which, while not directly about textiles, delves deep into the African - American experience of the Great Migration, a significant event in race relations in the US. It gives a rich account of the journey of people and how their race influenced their lives. Regarding books that more explicitly combine race and textiles in fiction, 'The Binding' might be a good choice. It has elements where the art of bookbinding (a form of textile work in a sense) is intertwined with themes of class and race in a rather mysterious and engaging setting.

Answer 2

A great fictional book about race and textiles is 'Homegoing'. It follows the parallel stories of two half - sisters from Ghana, one sold into slavery and the other remaining in Africa. While it doesn't focus solely on textiles, it does touch on the fabric of the different cultures and how race affects the characters' lives. The descriptions of the traditional African textiles and how they are part of the cultural heritage play an important role in the narrative.

Answer 3

I would suggest 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It's a fictional take on the real - life Underground Railroad which was crucial in the history of African - Americans escaping slavery. Although it's not strictly about textiles, it can be related as the characters' clothing (made of textiles) can symbolize their status, whether as slaves or free people. And of course, the whole story is centered around race and the struggle for freedom.