Overview
Claude McKay’s picaresque of 1920s Marseille, a paean to Black diaspora
A Penguin Classic
On the shores of the Vieux Port of Marseille, Lincoln Agrippa Daily, better known as “Banjo,” panhandles alongside friends and fellow migrants, busking at bars and escaping drunken scrums, in search of money, wine, camaraderie, and a good time. As Banjo and the “beach boys” drift through the dives of “The Ditch,” they reflect on race, class, labor, and the challenges of living as working-class, Black men in cities and countries to which they are anathema. When the itinerant writer Ray joins the group, Banjo begins to explore the existential implications of being Black in a world that moves—in its contempt, indifference, and defiance—to the “sweet jazzing of life.” Published a year after Claude McKay’s bestselling Home to Harlem, Banjo transports readers to the gritty, vivacious streets of 1920s Marseille and offers timeless meditations on Black transnational solidarity, friendship, music, and belonging.
Penguin Classics is the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, representing a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
A Penguin Classic
On the shores of the Vieux Port of Marseille, Lincoln Agrippa Daily, better known as “Banjo,” panhandles alongside friends and fellow migrants, busking at bars and escaping drunken scrums, in search of money, wine, camaraderie, and a good time. As Banjo and the “beach boys” drift through the dives of “The Ditch,” they reflect on race, class, labor, and the challenges of living as working-class, Black men in cities and countries to which they are anathema. When the itinerant writer Ray joins the group, Banjo begins to explore the existential implications of being Black in a world that moves—in its contempt, indifference, and defiance—to the “sweet jazzing of life.” Published a year after Claude McKay’s bestselling Home to Harlem, Banjo transports readers to the gritty, vivacious streets of 1920s Marseille and offers timeless meditations on Black transnational solidarity, friendship, music, and belonging.
Penguin Classics is the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, representing a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Banjo, we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Banjo.