Scan barcode
brot's review
adventurous
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
alexchpmn's review
challenging
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kairiver's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
k_wright's review
4.0
- The main portion of the book was great, a nice mixture of folklore and the surrounding context.
- The hoodoo part of the book started off very strong as well, but weakened for me when it centralized on specific rituals instead of discussing the culture and characters in it.
- The hoodoo part of the book started off very strong as well, but weakened for me when it centralized on specific rituals instead of discussing the culture and characters in it.
morglemore's review
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
An anthropological feat, i just won’t be reading it again
perilous1's review
3.0
This was almost two different works mashed into one collection.
The first part is the apparent result of Hurston traveling around Florida, gathering folklore and humorous tales. It is interesting from an anthropological standpoint. She leaves this largely to the tellers, and so there's very little of the author's astonishingly iconic voice to be had. (I found this a tad disappointing. It just didn't have the same depth or balance as is shown in her approach to Barracoon.)
The second part has much more of Hurston's personal narration, as she gives an account of her research and apprenticing into the world of Voodoo. The focus on ritual is extensive. I didn't expect Zora to go so all out in her quest to learn more about the Vodun. But by her own matter-of-fact admission, she actively participated in animal sacrifices, and rituals intended to curse and kill their intended human targets. What's more... we really aren't permitted much sense of her feelings on these things--for which she was more than just a passive observer/recorder.
I'll have to ruminate on this piece a while longer. I'm overall left unsure and a little unsettled.
The first part is the apparent result of Hurston traveling around Florida, gathering folklore and humorous tales. It is interesting from an anthropological standpoint. She leaves this largely to the tellers, and so there's very little of the author's astonishingly iconic voice to be had. (I found this a tad disappointing. It just didn't have the same depth or balance as is shown in her approach to Barracoon.)
The second part has much more of Hurston's personal narration, as she gives an account of her research and apprenticing into the world of Voodoo. The focus on ritual is extensive. I didn't expect Zora to go so all out in her quest to learn more about the Vodun. But by her own matter-of-fact admission, she actively participated in animal sacrifices, and rituals intended to curse and kill their intended human targets. What's more... we really aren't permitted much sense of her feelings on these things--for which she was more than just a passive observer/recorder.
I'll have to ruminate on this piece a while longer. I'm overall left unsure and a little unsettled.
gjmaupin's review
5.0
Sits on our shelf next to Grimm and Joel Chandler Harris and Yeats. Tales it takes years for hundreds to make up, but still only get told by one at a time. Th best part is, you can cheat and change them yourself if you like.
michelenwash's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5