Scan barcode
ugogirl65's review against another edition
4.0
Oddly enough this book reminded me of some of the older folks when I was growing in up Florida. A quick read with well-drawn characters in a series of stories.
franksreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
brot's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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.