Every Tongue Got To Confess-Negro Folk Tales from the Gulf States by Zora Neale Hurston. This book is chock full of African-American folk tales collected by Ms. Hurston in the rural South at the turn of the twentieth-century. From God tales, Preacher tales and Devil tales, to Heaven tales, White-folk tales, and mistaken identity tales they reveal attitudes about slavery, faith, race relations, family and romance that have been passed down for generations.
Example: A man who was down on his knees praying for God to forgive him for stealing hogs said: "You might as well forgive me for that ole turkey gobbler dat roosts in de chinaberry tree, too, Lord." - Edward Morris
Ms. Hurston records the voices of ordinary people with great self-awareness, humor, and amazing wordplay. Her power of storytelling is fascinating. I was first introduced to her writings by a book club reading at my local library and will read all her books that I can get my hands on. The power of the library is immense.
No comments:
Post a Comment