44 pages • 1 hour read
Colson WhiteheadThe Intuitionist
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead is set in a city resembling 1940s New York, where elevator inspectors are divided into Empiricists, who use mechanical testing, and Intuitionists, who rely on intuition. The story follows Lila Mae Watson, the first Black woman in the Department of Elevator Inspectors, as she navigates a power struggle triggered by an elevator accident, leading her on a quest involving secret blueprints for a perfect elevator.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Colson Whitehead's The Intuitionist has been praised for its innovative narrative, blending mystery with social commentary on race and technology. Critics admire the novel's originality and thought-provoking themes. Some, however, find its complex plot and abstract style challenging. Overall, it offers a richly layered and compelling reading experience.
Who Should Read The Intuitionist?
A reader who would enjoy The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead is likely captivated by literary fiction that blends mystery with reflections on race and society. Fans of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man or Paul Auster's The New York Trilogy will appreciate Whitehead's nuanced storytelling and thought-provoking themes.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
African American Literature
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Values/Ideas: Literature
Race / Racism