Synopses & Reviews
Leon Forrest, acclaimed author of Divine Days, uses a remarkable verbal intensity to evoke human tragedy, injustice, and spirituality in his writing. As Toni Morrison has said, "All of Forrest's novels explore the complex legacy of Afro-Americans. Like an insistent tide this history . . . swells and recalls America's past. . . . Brooding, hilarious, acerbic and profoundly valued life has no more astute observer than Leon Forrest." All of that is on display here in two novels that give readers a breathtaking view of the human experience, filled with humor and pathos.
Synopsis
Set in rural Mississippi, this novel follows young Nathaniel Witherspoon as he journeys home for his mother's funeral and ends up pondering not only her untimely death but also the origins of his own existence. Told through a series of painful yet vivid reminiscences, it is a story that provides a breathtaking view of the human experience, filled with humor and pathos.
About the Author
Born and raised in Chicago, Leon Forrest (1937-1997) taught English and African-American Studies at Northwestern University. He is the author of a collection of essays entitled The Furious Voice for Freedom, as well as numerous novels, including Two Wings to Veil My Face, winner of four literary awards, Divine Days, and Meteor in the Madhouse.
Table of Contents
The Lives
The Nightmare
The Dream
The Vision
Wakefulness
Transformation