Conjure Women by Afia Atakora is a historical novel set during and after the Civil War, focusing on the lives of black women practicing hoodoo in the antebellum South. The story follows Rue, a young slave girl who learns the art of healing and magic from her mother, May Belle, and later takes on the role of a conjure woman. The narrative delves into the brutality of slavery, the complex relationships within the plantation community, and the struggles faced by freed slaves as they navigate a world that is uncertain and unforgiving. Atakora's writing style seamlessly weaves together dual timelines, rich character development, and intricate plot twists, creating a compelling and poignant story that explores themes of resilience, identity, and the enduring power of hope.
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Triggers include discussions of slavery, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), racism, and potentially distressing themes around illness and death.
From The Publisher:
A mother and daughter with a shared talent for healing-and for the conjuring of curses-are at the heart of this dazzling first novel
WINNER OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN HISTORIANS PRIZE
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times
NPR
Parade
Book Riot
PopMatters
"Lush, irresistible . . . It took me into the hearts of women I could otherwise never know. I was transported."-Amy Bloom, New York Times bestselling author of White Houses and Away
Conjure Women is a sweeping story that brings the world of the South before and after the Civil War vividly to life. Spanning eras and generations, it tells of the lives of three unforgettable women: Miss May Belle, a wise healing woman; her precocious and observant daughter Rue, who is reluctant to follow in her mother's footsteps as a midwife; and their master's daughter Varina. The secrets and bonds among these women and their community come to a head at the beginning of a war and at the birth of an accursed child, who sets the townspeople alight with fear and a spreading superstition that threatens their newly won, tenuous freedom.
Magnificently written, brilliantly researched, richly imagined, Conjure Women moves back and forth in time to tell the haunting story of Rue, Varina, and May Belle, their passions and friendships, and the lengths they will go to save themselves and those they love.
LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE
"[A] haunting, promising debut . . . Through complex characters and bewitching prose, Atakora offers a stirring portrait of the power conferred between the enslaved women. This powerful tale of moral ambiguity amid inarguable injustice stands with Esi Edugyan's Washington Black."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"An engrossing debut . . . Atakora structures a plot with plenty of satisfying twists. Life in the immediate aftermath of slavery is powerfully rendered in this impressive first novel."-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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About the Author:
Afia Atakora was born in the United Kingdom and raised in New Jersey, where she now lives. She graduated from New York University and has an MFA from Columbia University, where she was the recipient of the De Alba Fellowship….
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