#62968 in Books 1983-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.36 x 1.08 x 5.76l; 1.10 #File Name: 0914232630350 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A True ClassicBy Angelique973This is one of the first books I ever read on the subject of Vodou; and after more than 10 years; I still refer to it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Customervery good1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. marshmallow44By Marshmallow44In the first pages of this book Deren compares the place of the artist in society with that of indigenous cultures. It is funny; sharp; and deeply intelligent. Yes; she is poetic; and writes with an artist's sensibility; but I am most interested in people and cultures; and this book is as psychologically and culturally and religiously sophisticated as any book I've read. Included in her chapters are examinations of the role of ritual in social coherence; creative expression (for everyone in the culture; not just the "geniuses"); and in individual development. Of course; we can idealize pre-industrial and pre-capitalist cultures; and life was; as Deren tells it (and as we know) excessively difficult for the slaves and their descendants who were forced to leave Africa and come to Haiti. But we can see what we've lost; spiritually; socially and personally with our move toward progress. An incredibly good read--and a classic work of anthropology; without the delusions about "objectivity" that permeate much of the academic writing.
