Colored Television: A Novel BY Danzy Senna

Colored Television by Danzy Senna is a witty and incisive exploration of love, ambition, and identity. The novel centers on Jane, an aspiring writer who, after a period of unstable living situations, finds herself house-sitting in luxury in the hills above Los Angeles. This opportunity coincides with a sabbatical, providing Jane with the ideal conditions to complete her second novel, which her artist husband Lenny humorously dubs “mulatto War and Peace.”

As Jane begins to envision a stable future, her plans take an unexpected turn. When her novel project falters, she shifts her focus to Hollywood, hoping to capitalize on her literary background. Her chance meeting with Hampton Ford, a prominent producer with a lucrative streaming network deal, seems like the breakthrough she’s been waiting for. Together, they start developing a biracial comedy concept, which Jane hopes will finally secure her success.

However, just as Jane’s career seems poised for a breakthrough, things unravel in unexpected ways. Colored Television blends sharp humor with a critical examination of the racial-identity-industrial complex, capturing the struggles and setbacks of navigating cultural and professional expectations.

Praised for its comedic brilliance and sharp social commentary, Senna’s novel has been described as a contemporary cultural comedy and a significant contribution to the Great American Novel tradition. With its engaging dialogue and biting insights, Colored Television is both a humorous and thought-provoking read, marking a standout achievement in Senna’s literary career.