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Over the Lip of the World

Among the Storytellers of Madagascar

Colleen J McElroy author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:University of Washington Press

Published:21st Jul '15

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Over the Lip of the World cover

A gifted travel writer and poet tells of her journey to Madagascar to explore Malagasy oral traditions and myths

Gifted travel writer, poet, professor of English, and insightful observer of human nature, Colleen McElroy journeyed to Madagascar to undertake a Fulbright research project exploring Malagasy oral traditions and myths. In Over the Lip of the World she depicts with equal verve the various storytelling traditions of the island and her own adventures in trying to find and record them.

McElroy’s tale of an African American woman’s travels among the people of Madagascar is told with wit, insight, and humor. Throughout it she interweaves English translations of Malagasy stories of heroism and morality, royalty and commoners, love and revenge, and the magic of tricksters and shapechangers.

"McElroy's well-worded account of the sights, sounds, and people of Madagascar offers the reader a genuine sense of place. Filled with magic and intrigue, Over the Lip of the World will take its readers precisely there."

* Rain Taxi *

"A fascinating look at a part of the world not often explored."

* Booklist *

"A Piquant glimpse into Malagasy storytelling, set to advantage by the kind of poised writing that makes one slow down, read carefully, savor."

* Kirkus Revie

ISBN: 9780295996608

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 529g

250 pages