|
Camille Yarbrough’s book is a compact opus of concentrated truth
creatively camouflaged as a work of fiction.
It is, moreover, a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional work that is
as entertaining as it is educational.
First and foremost, Yarbrough has written an Afrikan family story
which focuses on the functional interaction of three generations residing
in a single household. These
principle characters are clearly defined and concisely described with
their dialogue and actions accurately depicted according to age, awareness
and attitude. The realism of
Yarbrough’s portrayals makes her characters not only instantly
recognizable but, ultimately, representational.
In
addition, she achieves an equilibrium of extended family expression
throughout the balanced treatment of each family member.
“Mama,” “Daddy,” “Brother,” “Sister,” “Great-Grammaw,” and the 96
year old “adopted” elder, Mr. Witherspoon, are presented with refreshing
wholesomeness without
sacrificing verisimilitude.
Secondly, “The Little Tree Growin’ In The Shade” serves as a book
of historical significance.
Utilizing a “wheel within the wheel” technique, Yarbrough skillfully
incorporates a slave narrative sequence as the centerpiece of “History” to
render unto the reader a docu-dramatization of an Afrikan proverb from
which the book title is derived. After the narrative chronicles the birth,
glory and fragmentation of Afrikan civilization, the transportation of
Afrikan behavior patterns from the homeland to the Diaspora is related
with remarkable insight and intensity.
Thirdly, on a musicological note, Yarbrough’s book is a story of
the spiritual song, tracing its roots in Afrika to its role in slavery.
The significance of sound augmented by the magic of music and words
is given extended coverage.
Fourthly, it is a book of spirituality, clarifying the connection
between traditional
Afrikan religion and Christianity in its modified
manifestation. The book
projects spirituality as the ultimate powerbase of Afrikan people and a
continuous source of strength.
It is Yarbrough’s seasoned and superior skill as a storyteller that
enabled her to effectively mold this multi-leveled material into a
literary masterpiece of simplicity, substance, and style; it is her life
and lifestyle, however, that loads this literary work with authenticity.
Her erudition extends author into author-ity.
“The Little Tree Growin’ in the Shade” is superbly illustrated by
Tyrone Geter. His amazing
artwork accompanies the storyline with symbolic sensitivity.
Whereas Yarbrough utilizes language like a master painter with an
arsenal of brushstrokes and colors to convey the appropriate meaning and
mood. Geter uses art like a
master writer empowering every image with literary dimension.
It is, finally, a book of survival.
One understands that Afrikan people have a choice:
To be a little tree growing in the shade of diasporic darkness or a
big tree growing in the sun of Afrika.
Publication
Name: NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
|
