The Black Cloth: A Collection of African Folktales
Three folklike tales herein are original to Dadie; but since the 13 "true" folktales are reworked in his style, the distinction between traditional and literary is blurred. Dadie's style accommodates both the indigenous and the cultivated: Native silk-cotton trees and the golden castles of European fairy tales occur side by side, and the vernacular punch of the oral tale is rather disconcertingly combined with fine descriptive writing. A lengthy critical introduction defends Dadie's approach as it pinpoints some of his key themes and stylistic features. Although these stories are entertaining, both the general reader and the folklore specialist might well prefer the more conservative treatment exemplified by compilers like Harold Courlander. Patricia Dooley, formerly with English Dept., Drexel Univ., PhiladelphiaCopyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.