LET NOON BE FAIR. by Motley, Willard (1909 - 1965) - (1966)

New York:: Putnam,, (1966). Hardcover first edition -. Very near fine in a like dustjacket.. First printing. The last book by this Chicago African American novelist, who is best known for 'Knock on Any Door.' Published posthumously, this "builds on Motley's long residence in Mexico by telling the story of a small coastal Mexican village (based on Puerto Vallarta) that becomes a centre for tourists from the USA. Motley's thesis is that the economic benefits that come with tourism are completely outweighed by negative factors the loss of authentic Mexican culture and an accompanying loss of self respect among the citizens of the town." (Literary Enclyclopedia) Among the criticisms Motley faced was that he was a Black Man writing about white characters (or in this novel, many are Mexicans) - to which his response was that his race was the human race. In 2004, he was inducted in the Chicago Hall of Fame. 416 pp.