44 pages • 1 hour read
Ishmael ReedA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Published in 1973, Ishmael Reed’s Mumbo Jumbo tells the story of Papa LaBas, a voodoo priest, fighting against the Wallflower Order to protect the cultural epidemic Jes Grew in 1920s Harlem. Using nontraditional storytelling techniques, the novel blends postmodernism and Afrofuturism, exploring themes through an Afrocentric lens and highlighting efforts to reclaim non-Western cultural artifacts.
Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed is praised for its imaginative storytelling, satirical brilliance, and cultural commentary. Critics commend its unique blend of genres and inventive prose. However, some find it disjointed and challenging to follow due to its complex structure and rich allusions. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and avant-garde work.
Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed will engage readers who appreciate literary satire, historical fiction, and social criticism. Fans of novels like Joseph Heller's Catch-22 and Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow will enjoy its complexity, cultural references, and blending of folklore with modernity. Perfect for those intrigued by African American culture and postmodern literature.
Historical Fiction
Education
American Literature
Values/Ideas: Music
Race / Racism
Education
History: World