The Healing

Updated June 26, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

The vernacular tradition in black literature is a strong one, from Zora Neale Hurston down to Alice Walker. The Healing, Gayl Jones' first book in more than 20 years, reestablishes her as one of America's most talented writers working with nuances of dialogue and conversational rhythms. Offering more hope than her previous works, The Healing emerges as a stream-of-consciousness from a black woman in her newly discovered career as a faith healer. As the healer moves about her tale (itself a complex history), a dense accumulation of allusions, cultural commentary, and jokes form an arc whose overall composition effortlessly demonstrates the elegance of Jones' design.