Lanesha lives with her “caretaker,” Mama Ya-Ya, after her mother died in childbirth and her other family ignores her. They enjoy their simple life of tradition steeped in mysticism, thanks to Mama Ya-Ya, who is somewhat of a soothsayer. The novel follows Lanesha as Hurricane Katrina bears down on her hometown; Mama Ya-Ya knows the storm is going to be hard, but she cannot quite pinpoint what else is going to be wrong: “’In my dream, Lanesha, storm clouds come; wind comes; rain smacks down; the water clears. Sun comes out. Folks go about their business. Everyone is happy. But then, everything goes black. Like someone pulling a curtain. Or a shroud being pulled over the dead. Or God turning out the lights’” (51). When Katrina does hit, Lanesha must rely on the full force of what she has learned from Mama Ya-Ya to survive during and after the storm.
Having the novel told from the perspective of someone so young does, of course, leave out details, probably gory ones, that occurred during Katrina--but for the audience level, I think that is appropriate. The interweaving of the mystical elements hearkens to the Cajun culture.
Reading excerpt: http://amcabu.podbean.com/2011/01/29/ninth-ward/
No comments:
Post a Comment