His passing is worth noting and recommending his first novel A Visitation of Spirits. Randall Kenan, Southern Writer of Magical Realism, Dies at 57 Randall Kenan, Southern Writer of Magical Realism, Dies at 57 His upbringing in North Carolina helped him create a fictional hamlet, Tims Creek, where a 3-year-old clairvoyant scares the neighbors and a pig talks.
Thanks. One thing that this year has done is 1) made me more reflective 2) re-learn the visceral love of reading a BOOK (no Kindle, iPads, etc., books!). Keep the recommendations coming!
It's sad that it takes someone's passing to remind us of things we treasure but forget about. For about five years after I read this book I gave it to a number of friends, including a professor who assigned it in her classes for a number of years. Then it got pushed to the back of the bookshelf and I forgot about it until I read the obituary. This morning I gave my copy to a young friend. Maybe people will find Kenan again.
I think you'll find that is the case. James Baldwin died in 1987. I remember as a youth how the so-called black intelligentsia downplayed his contributions. A new generation has discovered him and embraced him, to the point of filming his works and creating documentaries. Im sure a new group of readers may rediscover Kenan.
A Visitation of Spirits is an amazing book.... Thank you for this post. Definitely a beloved figure in the lit world and beyond.