Possessing the Secret of Joy | Possessing the Secret of Joy

At a glance:

Author: Alice Walker
First Published: 1992
Type of Work: Novel
Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction, Social realism
Subjects: African Americans, North America or North Americans, Suffering, United States or Americans, Africa or Africans, Tradition, Sexism, Blacks, Sex or sexuality, Murder or homicide, Twentieth century, Gender roles, California, West, U.S., Pain, Women’s issues, Adultery, Multiculturalism, Women, Revenge, Rites or ceremonies
Locales: Africa, California

POSSESSING THE SECRET OF JOY explores the life of Tashi, an Olinkan tribeswoman who appeared briefly in Walker’s highly acclaimed novels THE COLOR PURPLE and THE TEMPLE OF MY FAMILIAR.

As Tashi’s story unfolds, it is examined by interweaving her own recollections with brief first-person accounts from her American minister-husband Adam Johnson, their mildly retarded son Benny, Adam’s sister Olivia, and his French lover Lisette, by whom he fathers son Pierre. Tashi’s evolution from carefree African youngster to gray-haired death row inmate encompasses her initial denial of...

Possessing the Secret of Joy | Possessing the Secret of Joy

At a glance:

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