Invisible Darkness: Jean Toomer & Nella Larsen

Larson's strengths are many: his concept of pairing these two 'lost artists' is tenable, possibly brilliant; his portrayal of Larsen's life is the best I have encountered; his analyses of her two published novels are intelligent and are coherently connected to biographical items; his insights into Cane are important and often refreshing; his provocative approach to Toomer the man is bold and courageous; his experiment with unchronological and intertwined accounts of two lives is deft and successful; and his writing style, on the whole is unobtrusive and clear. -Russell C. Brignano

Larson's strengths are many: his concept of pairing these two 'lost artists' is tenable, possibly brilliant; his portrayal of Larsen's life is the best I have encountered; his analyses of her two published novels are intelligent and are coherently connected to biographical items; his insights into Cane are important and often refreshing; his provocative approach to Toomer the man is bold and courageous; his experiment with unchronological and intertwined accounts of two lives is deft and successful; and his writing style, on the whole is unobtrusive and clear. Russell C. Brignano