Crystal Wilkinson Books

Acclaimed author Crystal Wilkinson's country roots and passion for language combine in this collection of lyrics and prose about Blackness, racism, and political awareness.

"A lyrical culinary journey that explores the hidden stories of Black Appalachians through powerful essays and forty comforting recipes from the Poet Laureate of Kentucky. Years ago, when O. Henry Prize-winning writer Crystal Wilkinson was baking a jam cake, she felt her late grandmother's presence. She soon realized that she was not the only cook in her kitchen; There were an abundance of ancestors stirring, measuring, and braising with her. These are her kitchen ghosts, five generations of Black women who arrived in her region of Appalachia and made a life, a legacy, and a cuisine. Part food memoir, part cookbook, Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts weaves fiction with historical records, memories, and interviews to present a unique culinary portrait of Black Appalachians. Forty recipes rooted deep in the past yet full of contemporary flavor are brought to vivid life through stunning photography and beautiful illustrations. You'll find delicious favorites such as Corn Pudding, Chicken and Dumplings, Jam Cake, and Praisesong Biscuits woven into the narrative of Crystal's family, portraying the experience and history of Black Appalachians through their voice, spirit, and foodways. As the keeper of her family's stories and treasured dishes, Crystal shares her inheritance in Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts. She found these stories woven into her apron pockets, floating inside the steam of hot mustard greens, and tucked into the sweet scent of clove and cinnamon in her kitchen. Crystal conjures up her ancestors every time she cooks, honoring the mothers who came before her, the land that housed generations of her family, and the untold heritage of Black Appalachia"-- Provided by publisher

Interconnected tales of love, loss, and tragedy unfold within a seemingly safe Kentucky neighborhood, revealing the hidden complexities of its residents. Crystal Wilkinson explores themes of race, class, gender, and mental illness through thirteen emotionally charged stories that collectively form a deeper narrative. The collection offers poignant insights into the lives of hardworking individuals, showcasing their struggles and relationships. Enhanced by a new foreword and afterword, this critically acclaimed work invites readers to discover the rich tapestry of community life.

The collection offers a poignant exploration of human experiences through a series of evocative stories. Characters navigate complex emotions, such as two teenagers seeking love in the night, a woman obsessed with death while witnessing loss, and a wife confronting infidelity over a meal. Each narrative captures fleeting moments and deep feelings, blending humor and sadness. With vibrant descriptions, the award-winning work is enriched by forewords from acclaimed authors, enhancing its haunting and thought-provoking nature.

The novel presents a lyrical exploration of love and loss through the lives of several generations of women in a serene southern black township. As they navigate their relationships and personal struggles, the characters confront themes of madness and resilience, revealing the complexities of their experiences in a rich, evocative setting.

The poems in Nikky Finney’s breathtaking collection Head Off & Split sustain a sensitive and intense dialogue with emblematic figures and events in African American life: from civil rights matriarch Rosa Parks to former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, from a brazen girl strung out on lightning to a terrified woman abandoned on a rooftop during Hurricane Katrina.