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dukegregory's review against another edition
5.0
Sorry but the fact that Gayl Jones is not a household name is criminal and this novel cements that completely for me, it cements that she is now in the pantheon of my favorite authors, it cements that she is one of most formalistically and thematically complex writers I have ever encountered and yet she makes it all seem like there is an ease to her craft, breezy, an ease to the curation that I find appalling in its magic, she makes it all seem like literary witchcraft in its construction, whether it be the innovative nonlinear form by which you are constantly disoriented yet grounded, the dialect taking on the tone of an oral storyteller paired with the circularity of the stream of consciousness, the breadth of topics discussed: anthropology, literary history, art criticism, science, colorism, tourism, refugee status, family, class, womanhood, and, of course, blackness, blackness as social construct, blackness as culture, and she does it all and never falters and never has a moment where you think, that wasn't very well done, or, oh that seems a bit sloppy, because it never is, it's never sloppy, no digression is bland, no discussion of a past lover is ridiculous, no discussion of the narrators travels in Africa become fetishistic but instead insightful not as a testament to the multiplicity of Africa's culture, which is discussed, but the interplay between being a black American and meeting Africans who find no real reason for the "African" in "African-American" to exist, and then you get into the whole plot with her role as a D-list rock musician's manager and then an affair and then a black German horse breeder and then working at a beauty parlor and then and then you forget that she's a faith healer because really that's all just kind of a frame narrative, it's really all just symbolic or representational and it all comes full circle while leaving out a detail in those final lines that was gutting in how much I wanted the answer but it feels right not knowing.
Gayl Jones must be read!
Gayl Jones must be read!
threeara's review against another edition
4.5
This was fascinatingly complex, with one of the most intense narrative voices I've read in a long time. It was honestly challenging to follow at times but I'm glad I read it!
minnieb's review against another edition
4.0
I found everybody insufferable but especially Joan and her husband but I loved this story a little
passionyoungwrites's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
In the story we follow Harlan, a faith healer who travels from town to town healing people. Gayl then takes us on Harlan’s previous career as a rock stars manager. Y’all, Harlan is a mess with these men. However, the remainder of the story tells of her ventures as she reaches her first healing, the one where she healed herself.
⚡️
Now, there is no plot. Just a stream of consciousness and conversation here and there. My favorite parts of this were the parts when Harlan visits her mother and grandmother - both beauticians. The ending though? Not expecting that one..
In the end, I asked this question - “Does betrayal really push you to purpose?”
apollonium's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rebadee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book captured me from the first page and didn't let go. Gayl Jones's ability to capture a voice authentically is unmatched. She reveals characters with all their knotted intentions and experiences so that their actions become inevitable for the reader. Jones's work is a case study in showing vs telling. Grateful for her body of work.
libbysbookshelf's review against another edition
THE HEALING by GAYL JONES
This is my second Jones book. My first was Corregidora; one of my favourite books ever. The Healing is a different beast altogether.
Jones’s The Healing is about an African American spiritual healer and the story of how she became a healer. Her story involves a lot of dialogue with a lot of men she meets and the alternative rock star she manages. But Harlan — the protagonist — is a beautician by trade, like her mum and granny before her. Her husband or ex-husband is an anthropologist who is interested in African healers. There’s also a Black German character who’s incredibly paranoid and through whom we learn that there have been Black people in Germany for centuries and not just ex-slaves. There’s the Italian woman who wants to stay with her South African husband but she’s afraid of deportation. I could go on, but I’ll save some for you to discover.
There are so many interesting characters in this book and they are all given ample space to develop and tell their stories. The novel is full of monologues and repetition and at times it feels almost rhythmic. Each character’s voice is loud and clear in my head even now.
Although, Joan, the rock star, stared to try on my nerves, I defy anyone not to fall in love with Harlan; she was an utter delight and I’d love her to do my nails and makeup while we have a good chat.
This book is not like many other books I’ve read. It’s unique. And it’s gorgeous.
This is my second Jones book. My first was Corregidora; one of my favourite books ever. The Healing is a different beast altogether.
Jones’s The Healing is about an African American spiritual healer and the story of how she became a healer. Her story involves a lot of dialogue with a lot of men she meets and the alternative rock star she manages. But Harlan — the protagonist — is a beautician by trade, like her mum and granny before her. Her husband or ex-husband is an anthropologist who is interested in African healers. There’s also a Black German character who’s incredibly paranoid and through whom we learn that there have been Black people in Germany for centuries and not just ex-slaves. There’s the Italian woman who wants to stay with her South African husband but she’s afraid of deportation. I could go on, but I’ll save some for you to discover.
There are so many interesting characters in this book and they are all given ample space to develop and tell their stories. The novel is full of monologues and repetition and at times it feels almost rhythmic. Each character’s voice is loud and clear in my head even now.
Although, Joan, the rock star, stared to try on my nerves, I defy anyone not to fall in love with Harlan; she was an utter delight and I’d love her to do my nails and makeup while we have a good chat.
This book is not like many other books I’ve read. It’s unique. And it’s gorgeous.
buta_comes_home's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
hannahmarierobbins's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75