Conversations With Gloria Naylor (Literary Conversations Series)

Rating:
Summary: Naylorism
Review: "No, my work is not about giving answers...But my work is just the highlight, and I pray to God that it brings to life just a tiny little bit of the reality that I see through my vision." - Conversations with Gloria Naylor, pp. 69

I chose to begin this review on CONVERSATIONS WITH GLORIA NAYLOR with a quote by the esteemed author for many reasons. However, I mainly begin here because this collection of interviews is about her: her stories, her life, her decisions, her thoughts, and her characters, so it's only fitting to begin a book about her with a quote by her. While there are many quotes by Naylor in this book that I could have used, I like this one to start because it shows readers where her focus is. So many contemporary African-American novels try to show us the "how to" in life, offering readers many authors' "Black-shaped" cookie cutter answers to all that life throws us. Naylor is among the few who differ. Instead of answers, she gives us situations, tastes of what she sees and the realities of characters who use her as a medium to reach the world.

CONVERSATIONS WITH GLORIA NAYLOR is a collection of personal and professional interviews about everything from her characters' realities to her own life situations. Readers learn about why Naylor became a Jehovah's Witness, what got her started writing, what compelled her to finish each novel, and what connected the novels. We also learn about her family situation growing up, the jobs she's held, who she esteems, and how she views herself and the world in which she lives.

Ever since I studied Mama Day at university, I've been a big fan of Gloria Naylor. Reading this collection has simultaneously fulfilled and augmented my desire to know more about her. While quite a few of the interviews seemed to be repetitive in information, Naylor offers a little something different in each piece. Her witty answers punctuate through the most mundane questions, and her social awareness stamps everything she does. Her conversation with Toni Morrison really reflects both women's love of writing and love for the African-American culture. We are truly blessed to have such a writer as Gloria Naylor in our midst. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Natasha T.
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers