By Afia Atakora
This book is about mother and daughter “Conjure Women” on a plantation spanning the period before, during, and after the Civil War. Miss May Belle, the mother, and Miss Rue, the daughter, have to lead the other slaves and eventually, free people, through medical and theological crossroads. They encounter difficult births, contagious, deadly, diseases, and a wandering Reverend complete with his own big tent revival, while still satisfying the local Haints and Hoodoo practices.
For me, this book fell flat as it lacked distinction from the rest of the oeuvre. There are the normal foibles of humanity: jealousy, superstition, adultery, and vengeance. The brutal injustice of the KKK and the Southern, White, Plantation Owners is evident. A battle between Christian thought and long-held Hoodoo traditions, complete with witch hunt is at the core of Miss Rue’s tale.
There are some surprises along the way, in the form of paternity and what is hidden in the old church, but even they are lackluster. Overall, this is not one I would recommend.
