Mumbo Jumbo (Masterplots II: African American Literature Series)
At a glance:
- Author: Ishmael Reed
- First Published: 1972
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Satire
- Time of Work: The 1920’s
- Setting: Harlem, New York
- Principal Characters: Papa LaBas, Earline, Berbelang, Abdul Sufi Hamid (Johnny James), Hinckle Von Vampton, Biff Musclewhite, Woodrow Wilson Jefferson
- Genres: Long fiction, Satire, Mystery and detective literature
- Subjects: New York, North America or North Americans, Northeast, U.S., United States or Americans, Blacks, Supernatural, New York City, Religion, Harlem Renaissance, 1920’s, Spiritual life or spirituality, Cults, Metaphysics
- Locales: Harlem, NY, New Orleans, LA, Washington, D.C.
The Novel
Mumbo Jumbo is an experimental novel that blends fiction and history. In it, Jes Grew, an epidemic of ecstasy originating in New Orleans, is rapidly taking over the United States, making people dance, laugh, and love life. It can be the blues, jazz, ragtime, or slang and black vernacular. Jes Grew needs its Text to survive, and apparently the Text exists somewhere in Manhattan.
The novel takes place in 1920’s Harlem. PaPa LaBas’ search for the Text and the murderer of Abdul Hamid is linked to the ancient past of Egypt. Reed gives a revisionary...
[The entire page is 3208 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
