Fulmer (U. of California, Berkeley) finds remarkable links between African American and Irish women writers, tracing an intellectual genealogical line from Lavin to N穩 Dhuibhne and from Hurston
to Morrison, showing how they attained free expression through the indirection that was long a tool of folk lore to deflect controversy. She examines such issues as the ways of folk women
against authority and the parallel methods of women faced with censorship and condescension, the use of "otherworld" women in commentary on sex and religion, and the particular place and
responsibilities of the wise woman. Annotation 穢2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
