A review by speculativebecky
Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston

4.0

This book is an “autoethnographical” collection of African American folklore and hoodoo practices compiled by Hurston during travels in Florida and New Orleans. It’s unlike any collection of stories I’ve ever read, because Hurston throws the reader right into her journey, setting the scene with the activities and conversations which surround the sharing of the stories. I’m so grateful for books like this, and especially to the folks like Hurston who’ve set in writing these important oral traditions, stories that have been used to explain the way the world works for generations. I loved that Hurston included contradictory stories and the ensuing arguments about which is better. She really gave the reader a feel for the storytellers and their fondness for the stories they shared with her. This is a unique and special book, I’m so glad I read it and I look forward to more of Hurston’s writing after this introduction.