Karen McCarthy Brown’s classic book shatters stereotypes of Vodou by offering an intimate portrait of African-based religion in everyday life. She explores the importance of women’s religious practices along with related themes of family and of social change. Weaving several of her own voices–analytic, descriptive, and personal–with the voices of her subjects in alternate chapters of traditional ethnography and ethnographic fiction, Brown presents hersel… More >>
Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn Updated and Expanded Edition
I’m always wary of uncultural women who are first drawn to santeria/vodun/lukumi from an anthropological/sociological stance and then switch over to become practitioners. And I find that when these people write books about the subject and their increasing involvement in it, the resulting work is usually an unfocused, tedious read. Such is the case of Mama Lola. While the book IS a nice little documentation of what the author experienced in Brooklyn and Haiti during the early 80s, anyone who comes from the culture or has had experiences similar to that of the author will probably put it down before they reach the end.
Rating: 2 / 5
One of the best books ever. This book strikes a perfect balance between a dry, scholarly approach and a colorful, sensationalist approach. It is written by a scholar who was initiated into and participated in vodou rituals, thus avoiding the kind of spiritual blindness that often afflicts scholars studying alien religions.
What is really fascinating about the practice of vodou as depicted in this book is how it functions as a kind of psychodrama for maintaining personal and social balance and mental health. Fascinating.
Rating: 5 / 5
Many of the books I’d read previously on Vodou were either dull and static, or hyped-up and commercial, so to read this was quite refreshing. It is an anthropological study, a biography, a basic history of Haiti, and an insight into the much-maligned religion, all rolled into one. Despite having been written by an anthropologist as part of her study, it is a touching account of faith, friendship and overcoming cultural barriers. Anyone who wants to know about the ‘real’ religion should read this.
Rating: 4 / 5
I agree with a previous review in that this book does offer more biographical than “how-to” on vodou. This selection does have merit however in that it offers an insiders view to the world of vodou. As previously stated, this is a good choice for anyone interested in womens’ studies as well as comparitive religions.
Rating: 4 / 5
… that doesn’t quite go far enough. Brown reveals some of the tradition of vodou and its adaptability and influence in modern America. Her research is good and her writing entertaining. For me though this didn’t quite go far enough into how Vodou can be used in the 21st century western world. A good book that picks up where this leaves off is Ross Heaven’s Vodou Shaman. I’d recommend you read them back-to-back. For it all though, Brown’s book is certainly worth the 5 stars for what it does teach.
Rating: 5 / 5