The Fablesinger [Paperback]

Judith Woolcock Colombo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2001

The Fablesinger, in the words of Kirkus Reviews, is a mythical tale of a struggle between the forces of good and evilwhich engulfs the reader with its power and conviction. The novels plot travels between reality and myth enfolding the reader in the magic and mystery of Caribbean Myths where a young girl grows to become a powerful shaman.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this fine debut, Jamaican-born Columbo artfully narrates a powerful Caribbean myth in which a village shaman (the Fablesinger) and her apprentice use powers of "foreseeing and herbal healing" to overcome the fear and hate unleashed by the vengeful Obeah man who serves the Sasambonsam, the King of Evil. The author develops her characters sensitively, particularly the aging, fragile Fablesinger who reluctantly relinquishes her power to a much younger woman, and her pupil, Marcia, an insecure and lonely "spirit-touched" girl mourning the death of her tormented mother. The struggle between good and evil is convincingly illustrated by descriptions of prophetic dreams. In one, Marcia is hit on the head by one of her severed fingers as it falls from a tree, while the Obeah man watches, laughing and grasping a bloodied hatchet. Though a heavy dose of symbolism and abstract language occasionally breaks the story's flow, Columbo's sensuous, melodic voice re-establishes it, conjuring haunting "visions of strange, beautiful slopes with lush green grass, purple orchids, and quaint wooden villages nestled on their shoulders," where "large, majestic . . . birdss with amber eyes" lead dreamers "over unfamiliar terrain and through strange obstacles."
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up-- A strange, disjointed book. The titular character is an elderly woman who lives in a poor village in an unnamed location. The Fablesinger is a Mayal, a priestess of an ancient African religion. Opposing her is the Obeah man, a priest of the Great Shadow and practitioner of dark, voodoolike arts. Entering their conflict is Marcia, an anthropology student of mixed race who becomes the Fablesinger's apprentice. Colombo writes in a knowledgeable and nonexploitative way about a segment of African-American culture that is rarely explored--the survival of ancient religions and beliefs. She also pulls off a very tricky feat: writing in dialect. The Fablesinger speaks in a Gullahlike language that is rhythmic and unfamiliar, yet clear and understandable. However, there is a lot of plot crammed into this slim novel. As a result, some developments are described in great detail while others are glossed over quickly, making it difficult for readers to get any sense of time. Not only is the time fragmented, but also the geography remains elusive. Although there are enough clues that these events are taking place in real time and real space, readers can only guess that the location is somewhere in a former slave state, or possibly a Caribbean island. A book with very limited appeal. --Susan M. Harding, Mesquite Public Library, TX
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (June 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595190588
• ISBN-13: 978-0595190584
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,559,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born and raised on the island of Jamaica. I came to the United States in 1969 to attend Fordham University where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1978, I earned a M.A. in Philosophy from the New School for Social Research.

For over twenty years, I taught at various New York City colleges as an adjunct English Instructor. Recently, I along with my husband Vincent, a retired N.Y.P.D. Sergeant of Detectives, moved from Park Slope, Brooklyn to rural upstate New York.

I am the author of two published novels. My first novel, "The Fablesinger", a fantasy set among the myth and magic of the Caribbean, was published by The Crossing Press in 1989 and republished as an Authors Guild Backinprint.Com Edition in June 2001.

AmErica House Book Publishers published my second novel and first mystery, "Night Crimes", in April of 2001. In 2003 the right to publish the book in Korean was sold to Yacom Publishers of Seoul, South Korea. I am now in the process of rewriting my third novel and second mystery.

My non-fiction works have appeared in the anthologies "Voices from the Couch", and "Mothers", and in the magazine "Blue Moon" and the newspaper, "The Jamaican Weekly Gleaner, North American Division. I am also the author of two Amazon Shorts: "The Gasman" and "The death of Betty Pinto".

Please visit my website: http://odin.prohosting.com/~night01 to read reviews and sample chapters of my works, and to find out more about me or to email me.

You can also find me on Facebook.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fablesinger, August 14, 2001

By 

Carolyn Howard-Johnson "Author 'This is the P... (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Fablesinger (Paperback)

In the tradition of the great story tellers of the past, the author, Judith Woolcock Colombo, IS The Fablesinger. She tells us a tale about a powerful weaver of dreams who is also a fablesinger. She also tells us about the young woman to whom she will pass her powers. This is a woman's fantasy told in an evening's reading time. A warm and mystical evening's time.

Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson Author of "This is the Place"