Book Review - Praisesong for the Widow

The last novel I had to read for the college class I'm taking this semester was Paule Marshall's "Praisesong for the Widow." It's an interesting novel because it tells of an African-American woman named Avey Johnson who finds herself widowed, her children grown and living their own lives, and doing what was expected of an elderly woman in the early 70's. Little does she realize that in her rush to achieve the American dream that she has had to sacrifice a lot of her personal happiness and identity. Due to some strange occurrences that begin to happen to her, Avey begins a journey of discovery. The journey will have its pitfalls. She'll have to trust a man she doesn't know at all and who may be something of a crackpot, she'll go on a boat journey that will make her violently sick, and she'll deal with people who speak a language (Patois) that she doesn't even know. Still, she'll persevere on and discover the terrible price her and her husband paid to achieve the American dream. She finds that she doesn't even know who she really is where once she did. She also finds that there are ties to Africa that she wasn't aware of. Finally, she finds a new sense of purpose in life. Avey had been feeling like she was no longer of any value. In her journey, she finds that she can still do something useful in life. She can help instill in her grand-children a sense of identity and of their heritage as African-Americans. It will mean that she will have to break from what was expected of a typical widow of that time but, Avey is willing to pay the price in exchange for the sense of purpose and self fulfillment her purpose gives her. The novel ends on an uplifting note with the reader wanting to cheer on Avey. I would definitely recommend this novel to some one who is African-American as I think they would find it a great read. For someone who is white like myself, I think you can enjoy it too as it is still a beautiful novel of self discovery and the realization that our later years in life can be every bit fulfilling and exciting as our earlier years are. The elderly still have a vital part to play in our society and this novel shows just one important task they can play albeit from an African-American part. Still, there are undoubtedly many important things elderly white Americans can do. Our later years in life shouldn't be ones of doom and gloom. Instead, they should be ones filled with new challenges and dreams. This novel serves to inspire elderly people to do just that. Be you white, black, red, or yellow, I'd recommend this novel to you as it shows that our later years don't have to be one of misery but of fulfillment and purpose. Hopefully, those who read this wonderful novel will find new inspiration themselves.