Do you want to know how African Americans felt in the 20th century? If so, then this is a must read, this book was written by one of the most influential African Americans from the 20th century. The Souls of Black Folks is an essay fiction book written by W. E. B. Du Bois. This novel focuses on the struggles of African American post slavery in the early 20th century.The Souls of Black Folk is an essay novel written by W. E. B. Du Bois. It is a seminal work in the history of sociology and a cornerstone of African-American literature. The book contains several essays on race, some of which the magazine Atlantic Monthly had previously published.