Voodoo Dreams, Jewell Parker Rhodes
Voodoo Dreams, Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Voodoo Dreams
A Novel of Marie Laveau

Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes

Narrator: Peter Francis James

Unabridged: 20 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 11/15/2010


Synopsis

Spanning six decades of the 1800s, this mesmerizing story is a fictional biography of Marie Laveau--one of the most haunting characters in New Orleans' history. Part of a long line of voodoo priestesses and healers, Marie tells of the mystery, passion, and violence that pattern her life. Like her grandmother, Marie sees visions from an early age. She never knew her mother, who practiced a spiritualism so potent she was murdered by those who feared her. When Marie becomes a healer, she discovers a supernatural force that can channel the power of her ancestors. But it is a ferocious force driven by both life and death. Author Jewell Parker Rhodes has been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts and is a professor of American literature and creative writing at Arizona State University.

About Jewell Parker Rhodes

Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is the author of six adult novels: Voodoo Dreams, Magic City, Douglass’ Women, Season, Moon, and Hurricane, as well as the memoir Porch Stories: A Grandmother’s Guide to Happiness and two writing guides, Free within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors and The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction. Jewell is also the author of seven books for youth, including the New York Times bestsellers Ghost Boys and Black Brother, Black Brother. She has won the American Book Award, the Black Caucus of the American Library Award for Literary Excellence, and the Jane Addams Peace Association Book Award. Jewell is the founding artistic director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing and narrative studies professor and Virginia G. Piper endowed chair at Arizona State University. She was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Carnegie-Mellon University. She lives in Seattle, Washington.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Sarah on January 05, 2016

First things first, this is not a horror novel. While it has elements of the supernatural certainly, it is not chills and gore. What it is, is a superb historical novel (reminding me a lot of the works of Phillipa Gregory). The author has taken what little we know of Marie Laveau and weaved a complex......more

Goodreads review by Educating Drew on December 17, 2011

Voodoo Dreams is the story of Marie Laveau, but it's also the story of Maman Marie, Grandmere, and the Voudon Queen. It is about legacy, fate, and bloodline. When we first meet Marie, she is the Voodoo Queen and through the strength of Damballah, has murdered John, her baby's father in the midst of a......more

Goodreads review by Lois on December 11, 2018

This was the author's first novel and it shows in places. None the less this was well researched and really interesting......more

Goodreads review by Alcqueline on October 26, 2009

I enjoyed reading this mystery. It’s a quick read. The momentum of the story picked up after the initial hospital scene. Marie Laveau may be a better detective than a doctor. She has a great gift, but is in denial about it. I love the setting in Southern Louisiana.......more

Goodreads review by Paula on January 03, 2015

I listened to this on audio and it was interesting but as it was a novel I'm not sure how much was based on fact. I think I would like to read a book on Marie Laveau that is more non fiction.......more