Paths of Sanctuary [Paperback]

Ihsan Bracy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2008

Paths of Sanctuary is Ihsan Bracy s second work of fiction. Traversing pathways discovered by writers such as Jean Toomer (style), J. California Cooper (style), Edward P. Jones (period) and Zora Neale Hurston (style and period), Ihsan Bracy has advanced that literary lineage by creating a permeable border between dimensions with rewarding effect. The author applies intractable laws of cause and effect to further explore outcomes outside the proscribed parameters of worldly human experience. He has employed elements of magical realism, neo-hoodoo, speculative fiction, science fiction and automatic writing to achieve this. For both reader and creative writer, the author demonstrates a fresh take on the past, present and future. Paths of Sanctuary is a magic-realism novel which traces the life of an African-American family from enslavement in 1786 through post reconstruction to its eventual settling in Sanctuary, a small mountain village situated geographically just below the first gates of heaven. The novel centers on the forbidden commingling of the people of clay (humans) with the people of fire (angels) and the friction that occurs whenever two bordering cultures co-exist. Told in an almost lyrical narrative, Paths of Sanctuary explores the hidden complexities discovered within family, including the trials found within infidelity, friendship and love. This novel works with both hands, a visionary work with a command of craft that ensures Ihsan Bracy's literary legacy, work that acclaims the craftsman a master and makes it all worthwhile. An exquisite post modern folkology, the novel every writer wants to write and every reader wants to read. Arthur Flowers, De Mojo Blues, Another Good Lovin Blues, Confessions of a 21st Century Conjure Man ihsan bracy is a visionary wordsmith. In a story that spans both time and the imagination, he has managed to capture the most painful and yet the most beautiful of our experience, while gifting us with an epic, bordercrossing story that transcends the conventional, and leaves readers lifted. Thank you ihsan, for journeying on. Paths of Sanctuary is well worth the wait. Sheree Renée Thomas, editor of the Dark Matter Series Bracy is a writer unafraid to enter the deepest night to find the brighter light within. In his invention, I see our own as Black Americans, a winding road through an emotional landscape, taking us from our rough arrival to new knowledge of self and destiny. Terence Taylor, Dark Dreams, Voices from the Other Side, Whispers in the Night, Bite Marks

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bracy depicts myriad aspects of African American family dynamics. This tragic novel delves back into the horrific slave trade and merges into present emancipation at the Gates of Heaven. The author creatively carves out mystical charachters with names such as Dance, Time, Passage, and Silence. Each character's life exemplifies his or her name. This novel is filled with hints of voodoo and the paranormal. Issues surrounding marriage are depicted in this novel. The young couple is very happy at the beginning of their marriage. Dance is responsible and faithful, while Time is an industrious wife. Each one however, brings baggage into the marriage, and when life's pressures hit, the negative aspects of both emerge. Problems in this marriage include ineffective communication, listening to gossip, alcoholism, infidelity, and even incest. Positive aspects of African American extended family are portrayed through the two aunts. Ms. Affection and Ms. Cinnamon are always there to help the couple. The novel gives good portrayal of rural life where everybody knows everybody and is in each other's business. On Friday nights, farmers and local workers go to the juke joint for a little solace and usually trouble emerges! --Multicultural Review Volume 17, Number 1, Spring 2008 by Maxine Agazie

ihsan bracy s new novel, paths of sanctuary, is an intricate story of love, lust, envy and filled to the brim with examples of how each can lead to the destruction of one s soul. Readers interested in family dynamics and the interworkings of African-American communities, will most enjoy being taken across decades of time to witness the creation of a three-generational family living in a town just south of the first gates of heaven. The town, called sanctuary, holds in it children born of both angel and man, living side by side with human beings. The forbidden man/angel relationship is at the core of the central conflict, although it is difficult to discern even if you are three-quarter s of the way through the book. This information is clearly given only in the last few pages, at which point you suddenly realize the tie-in and purpose of the prologue. This is not to say that bracy s book is without merit. At times his writing is so lyrical you are easily swept away by the beauty of his words. The world he has created is full of magical-realism, colorful, interesting characters worth rooting for, and a litany of sub-plots that often commands more attention than the main plot. And, the third-person, exposition-heavy narrative allows readers to observe characters from various points of view. These same strengths also cause quite a conundrum for bracy. He gives us such strong, empathetic major and minor characters that their voices demand to be heard. Rarely are they and this makes it oftentimes difficult to distinguish between them. It also robs readers of a look at the characters interior and a chance to fully experience the heightened intensity of emotions that is pervasive throughout the book. Some will argue that bracy s writing is more in line with fable telling or the style of J. California Cooper and thus not required to do more showing than telling. But in order to believe the motivations that drive bracy s characters to make life-altering, cataclysmic decisions, more insight into his characters interior is needed. Take for instance the story of passage, the son of main characters dance and time. He is depicted as a kind-hearted, well-liked boy who is on the cusp of becoming the kind of man all parents hope their sons will grow up to be. In an instant he is turned into an immoral, evil and depraved individual. Why is this? And why did bracy choose passage, the most benign of the family members, to be the catalyst for the family s destruction? Other strengths pose similar challenges for bracy, like the use of three separate boy- girl relationships to symbolize the union of spirit and man. Each is beautifully crafted and depicts a pure, soulful, everlasting bond. But their true significance is unclear and so then is their link to the overall story muddling the genius of bracy s distinct storytelling and well-woven prose of rhythms and sensory. But bracy ends up coming out on top, leaving us with a story that needs to be told, one worthy enough to pass down to the generations. --aalbc.com, by Jill Robinson

About the Author

Paths of Sanctuary is author Ihsan Bracy s second work of fiction with Cool Grove Press (Feb. 2008). His first book ibo landing: an offering of short stories, (CGP 1998) is scheduled to be work-shopped by NYU in preparation for an upcoming Broadway run by The Mirror Repertory Company where Ihsan is the Arts and Education Coordinator. As artistic Director and Founder of The Tribe Ensemble, a multi-ethnic theatre repertory company based out of the Jamaica Arts Center for thirteen years, Ihsan authored and directed Against the Sun, the Southampton Slave Revolt of 1831. A former member of The Family (La Familia) Inc., his credits include prolonged theatre workshops at Bayview Correctional Facility for Women, the Spofford Home for Juveniles and Riker's Island, which culminated in a forty prison inner city tour. Ihsan directed Juan Shamsul Alam s Benpires which received a Pulitzer Prize nomination in theatre. A graduate of Bennington College, Ihsan Bracy is a former member of the New York State Council on the Arts and former chair of the Theatre Department of Talent Unlimited High School, NYC s second largest performing arts high school. Ihsan s major educational credits include directing five Manhattan, three NYC and a third place National Shakespeare Championship as well as an ARTS National Finalist in Theatre. A spoken word and Brooklyn based artist, Ihsan has performed all across the city including a long running appearance at The Triad as part of composer Michael Raye s Soul Gathering. Author of two volumes of poetry, cadre and the ubangi files, Ihsan has twice been a CAPS Finalist and has been elected to the New Renaissance Writer s Guild. He is currently working on a novel which is a continuation of the saga unfolded in Paths of Sanctuary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Cool Grove Press; First edition (February 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887276491
• ISBN-13: 978-1887276498
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,259,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)