Gumbo Ya-Ya - Softcover

Saxon, Lyle; Dreyer, Edward; Tallant, Robert

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Softcover

ISBN 10: 1941879055 ISBN 13: 9781941879054

Publisher: Pelican, 2015

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In these classic, fascinating, and often terrifying tales Mardi Gras Indians, Baby Dolls, the Zulu King, Loup Garou, and the headless horseman of Natchitoches all share the stage. Ghost stories from around the state mingle with the true horrors of figures like the infamous New Orleans Axeman. Readers learn stories of the Creoles and Cajuns, southern church traditions, Voodoo rituals, hexes, and charms. Gumbo Ya-Ya, 'everyone talks at once', expresses the tension between refinement and profanity, the sacred and the sensual which defines Louisiana culture to this day. This 70th Anniversary River Road Press unabridged edition's contents are wholly true to the 1945 original edition. First commissioned as a project of the Works Progress Administration Louisiana Writers Program, it has stood the test of time and is a book beloved by historians, locals, and visitors. Long-time fans of this book, as well as new audiences, will certainly enjoy this timeless look into an authentic and fascinating look at Louisiana in Gumbo Ya-Ya.

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About the Author:

Once known as 'Mr. New Orleans' or the 'dean of New Orleans writers', Lyle Saxon (1891-1946) published scores of articles and short stories for the Times-Picayune, four books of creative nonfiction, and one novel. During his brief but productive literary career, Saxon also directed the Louisiana branch of the Federal Writers Project, a New Deal program overseen by the Works Projects Administration (WPA). A longtime resident of the French Quarter, Saxon advocated the preservation of the neighborhoods historic homes and encouraged other writers and artists to live, work, and/or visit the community, helping to spark a renaissance in the area. Robert Tallant (1909-1957) was one of Louisiana's best-known authors. Born in New Orleans in 1909, he attended the city's local public schools. Before drifting into writing, Tallant worked as an advertising copywriter, a bank teller, and a clerk. It was his friendship with Lyle Saxon that led Tallant to his position as editor on the Louisiana WPA Writers Project during the 1930s and 1940s. In that position, he coauthored Gumbo Ya-Ya: Folk Tales of Louisiana with Lyle Saxon and Edward Dreyer.

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