Congratulations! Jesmyn Ward Is A National Book Award Finalist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Though nothing in this second novel of hers comes as close to the haunting depiction of Hurricane Katrina in "Salvage The Bones," it does not suffer from second novelitis, that is, being such a letdown from the first

                                      This is common with breakthrough authors, but Ward here manages to avoid it.  "Sing, Unburied, Sing" is a road tale, a ghost story, and the harrowing saga of an impoverished Mississippi family, all rolled into one.  Having just read poetic like prose in Jacqueline Woodard's "Another Brooklyn," I was completely at ease with Ward's use of it.  She is very close to becoming her generation's Toni Morrison, and, when the full body of her work is reached, I think this novel will stand out as her "Beloved."

                                      High praise, I know.  But this is unquestionably a gorgeous, lyrical and deeply moving work that deserves to be placed on many Ten Best lists, come year's end.

                                       I have to wonder where Miss Ward will venture next.  I don't think she is through with Mississippi yet, but I long for more work from here.

                                         Guaranteed, she will be heard from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!