Bricks Without Straw: A Novel

by Albion Winegar Tourgée

"Bricks Without Straw" by Albion Winegar Tourgée is a novel written in the late 19th century, likely during the period of Reconstruction following the American Civil War. The book explores the complexities of freedom and identity for formerly enslaved individuals, with a focus on the main character Nimbus, a newly freed man grappling with name changes and the implications of freedom for himself and his family. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Nimbus, a Black man reflecting on the transformations he and his fellow freedmen face after emancipation. Through a soliloquy, he muses on the challenges of adopting new names and the confusion that soon follows, highlighting the remnants of his past as a slave and his desire to shed those associations. The dialogue between Nimbus and his friend 'Liab reveals the struggles in forging a new identity and the social implications of freedom. The narrative resonates with themes of self-definition, the legacy of slavery, and the quest for both personal and communal identity in a changing world.