Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica
4.6 | 691 ratings
Price: 22.04
Last update: 12-19-2025
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- PersephoneZombies and politics and wild hogs, oh my!Although most of those who recognize Zora Neal Hurston’s name think of her fiction, Hurston was also an anthropologist, a Student of Franz “papa” Boas, one of the last great public intellectuals in the 20th century. This wonderful, unique monograph provides a history of key events and impressions of daily life in Haiti in a beautiful, accessible manner. History, politics, and Voodoo are the main topics, and each is covered in a way that is both readable and informative. Hurston’s voice is uncommon as an anthropologist (there were not many black women anthropologists at the time), and her narrative weaves observation with interpretations smoothly and beautifully, so that it has about it the feel of a folktale, with scenes joyous, haunting, horrible, and at times, downright creepy.
Hurston, who did not often (if ever) say why she was there, was truly a part of the daily lives of the people with whom she stayed, and she withheld information about why she was there because she knew that if she told the people, she would see a performance of people’s lives, rather than actual lives, staged dances rather than real dances. Hurston also brings us a superb example of participant observation, and she makes no pretense that she can somehow get data that is completely uninformed by her presence. Neither does she accept stated perceptions at face value, but rather, challenges them when she feels it is appropriate. Consequently, her grasp of what is going in around her is much stronger.
One critique I do have is that Hurston makes sweeping, reductionist statements that betray her positionality (an educated black woman from the United States) in some aspects. I am not saying she wasn’t reflective, as there are many comments throughout the book that lead me to believe she was, but rather, that reflectiveness isn’t ever explicitly stated.
For those who enjoy political intrigue, reading about the death of Leconte (chapter 9) might prove quite enjoyable. Leconte isn’t the only memorable character in the book, even if, historically speaking, he may be the best known. Or perhaps that nod goes to Vilbrun Sam. In any case, there is also the buffoon president, his Voodoo priestess daughter, and her husband the goat. Oh, and zombies. The layout of Hurston’s book sets the reader up for the world in which voodoo is at work at that period of time in history, in all places, at all levels of society, leading up to the title chapter, “Go Tell My Horse,” which refers to the “mounting” (or possession) of a person by a loa.
Whether for enjoyment or assignment (although I do hope those aren’t mutually exclusive), Go Tell My Horse is an enjoyable, fascinating observation of Haiti in the first half of the 20th century, and I highly recommend you give it a read. - JojoIf you've read Their Eyes Were Watching God, This is a challenging and impressive book by Hurston.I've always been interested in Voodoo so that's what attracted me to this book. The history of voodoo in Jamaica and Haiti is compelling reading. Her style is clear, easy to read and extremely journalistic. It is an impressive report
- CourtanyI’m glad I got this book ????Very good spiritual book
- Lemich DrakkarReally entertaining !!The writing of Zora Neale Hurston is fine. The content of the book is, in his second part, is a "first hand" experience of what voodoo was in 1930. This is therefore a classical and valuable source of knowledge. Interesting enough, Zora Neale Hurston took probably part at various voodoo initiations, and we would have been interested to know more about her experiences, feelings, philosophical and religious insights. Unfortunately for us, she respected the "secret de l'arcane" which characterizes most of the so called esoteric societies. There is also hope for Haïti in this book, but it demonstrates also the power of USA to bring some kind of mismatch in the political affairs and economic life of a poor and very small country. Abobo!
- SueZora Neale HurstonBecame familiar with Zora’s writings after watching a documentary. Currently reading The Complete Stories and enjoying it very much! This book will be next.
- SHWhere is the audiobook!?!Such an excellent and even important seeming book. I was reintroduced to Zora Neale Hurston through her folktales in audio after thinking I hated her writing. Like many, I was forced to read Their Eyes Were Watching God in high school, and thought that all her writing would require the amount of work required to read in heavily accented English. As others have commented this is a great example of her work as an essayist and trained anthropologist. For such an excellent piece of work, I just wish it was available in an excellent audio format like much of her fiction.
- Donna L.Great readHappy with this purchase
- NCgrowninPAI want to love itI never finished it. Realized I'm not a fan of this author's writing style. It sucks because I wanna love her books