by Alice Walker
First published 1998
The Walker clan journeys to a remote Mexican sierra, where they encounter an endangered tribe called the Mundo. As the family grapples with their own rifts and sorrows, they are transformed by the Mundo's ancient rituals and wisdom. At the heart of their odyssey is Susannah, a writer-to-be, who must confront her own denied sexuality to regain her true self. Through lyrical prose and unforgettable characters, Walker leads us into a world where the past's lies and love shape the present's search for identity and connection.
Genres: literary-fiction, 20th-century, african-american, magical-realism, 21st-century, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, lyrical
Tropes: found-family, self-discovery
Setting: Mexico, United States
222 pages · Paperback · Ballantine Books