Zora Neale Hurston was an American folklorist and author who emerged as a vital voice during the Harlem Renaissance. Applying her ethnographic training, she meticulously documented African American folklore and culture, enriching both literature and performance arts. Her groundbreaking work was recognized for its ability to access and illuminate the practices of secret societies, earning her prestigious fellowships for research. Hurston's writing is celebrated for its authentic portrayal of Black life and language, offering a rich tapestry of Southern traditions and storytelling.
"Belongs in the category ... of enduring American literature." -- Saturday Review Fair and long-legged, independent and articulate, Janie Crawford sets out to be her own person -- no mean feat for a black woman in the '30s. Janie's quest for identity takes her through three marriages and into a journey back to her roots.