The New Negro

Bill Quinn's sublime narration of this detailed biography of Alain Locke would meet with its subject's approval. The writer, educator, and philosopher was ahead of his time in extolling black intellect and was instrumental in the development of the Harlem Renaissance. At points, especially during descriptions of literary or philosophical styles, Quinn's voice can seem didactic--but these moments are few and come amid fascinating descriptions of Locke's relationship with his mother and examinations of race, queer identity, the black American class structure, and early-twentieth-century intellectualism. Quinn's unique voicing--neither overly persuasive nor detached--adds texture to the sometimes academic prose, raising interest while respecting the author's scholarship. Listeners who go beyond this work to Locke's writings will hear Quinn's vocal styling in Locke's words. M.P.P. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine