Three new literary works from Black women reveal individualistic forms of imagination and creative realism. The uniqueness of Arielle Estoria andSoraya Palmer, and the incomparability of the brilliant political mind of Stacey Abrams, offer readers of all backgrounds and creeds new poetry and storytelling that encompasses the undeniably intriguing themes of Black womanhood, mystery, and self-discovery.
An influx of Black feminine talent has been emerging in the literary world. “The Unfolding” marks Estoria’s traditional publishing debut in the wake of her 2014 self-published collection of poetry, “Vagabonds & Zealots.” “The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts” is also the debut of Soraya Palmer, while Stacey Abrams, former Georgia state representative and author of nearly two dozen books, releases her new thriller and legal drama, “Rogue Justice.”
This exciting and diverse trio of 2023 releases has materialized during a fertile era in Black literature.
“The Unfolding: An Invitation to Come Home to Yourself” by Arielle Estoria (HarperCollins)
It is quite an accomplishment that a major publisher, Harper Collins, not only took a chance on newcomer poet Arielle Estoria, but compared her to Walt Whitman more than once—a publisher’s note in the opening of the book espouses Estoria’s astounding promise as a career writer. “The Unfolding” is a collection of poetry, essays, and beautifully crafted usage of the English language that is authentic and seamlessly graceful.
“The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts: A Novel” by Soraya Palmer (Penguin Random House)
In Soraya Palmer’s “The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts,” the fantastical plot flowers more like a century-old fable than a standard work of fiction, made up of colorfully strange characters, including “a Rolling Calf who haunts butchers, Mama Dglo who lives in the ocean, a vain tiger, and an outsmarted snake,” as noted by Palmer’s publisher. One cannot help but experience curiosity about this tale of two sisters who begin to live very different lives as they grow older. If you’re interested in colorful African American folklore, this book is unlikely to disappoint.
“Rogue Justice” by Stacey Abrams
Veteran author and respected literary maven Stacey Abrams was writing volumes of books before she became a powerful political figure and household name. This year, the New York Times bestselling author weaves a new thriller in “Rogue Justice,” a continuation of the heart-stopping story of Supreme Court clerk Avery Keene, who survives cracking open a complex conspiracy and the intensity of Congressional hearings arising around her. Abrams is a mistress of her craft, telling legal and political stories that she knows all too well, and writes with intelligence and vision.