This school year, students entering English II were allowed to choose between four different summer reading books: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Allaire Sáenz, The Leavers by Lisa Ko, and Where We Come From by Oscar Cásares.

The clear winner in terms of popularity was The Man Who Lived Underground by Richard Wright. The Man Who Lived Underground is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that depicts society’s harsh racial prejudices and decrepitude through the eyes of a compelling protagonist, Fred Danials.

The masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions make for a powerful narrative, offering  commentary on race, injustice, and the human spirit. It carries many depressing scenes that often feel cruel, but it’s because of these brutal scenes that we take in the full extent of the novel’s message.

Though there are no light hearted novels on the English II summer reading list, it feels important to mention that this novel is a serious and compelling one. As Logan Dihn ‘26 put it, “I often found myself frustrated, the story almost felt intentionally cruel”. It is a quick book, with many action and suspenseful elements that distract from the depressing undertones. 

Overall, I would rate this novel a 5/5 as I enjoyed its narrative and compelling messages.