Black Orpheus: Music in African American Fiction from the Harlem Renaissance to Toni Morrison

Nine original essays examine the Orphic theme in the fiction of such African American writers as Jean Toomer, Langston Hughes, Ntozake Shange, and Alice Walker. Authors discussed depict music as a mystical, shamanistic, and spiritual power that can miraculously transform the realities of the soul and of the world. Contributors are scholars of English, music, women's studies, cultural theory, and black and African studies. Simawe teaches English and African studies at Grinnell College. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)