"Jean Toomer was one of the great literary figures from the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920's. His signature work, Cane, is familiar to most people who have studied African-American literature. Lesser known to readers is this brilliant work, Essentials, published in 1931.

After his success with Cane, Toomer disappeared from the literary scene to pursue his own philosophical and psychological inquiries. Toomer sought enlightenment in the teachings of George Gurdjieff. During this time (1924-1935), Toomer published this slim volume offering his attempts to grapple with the experience of what it means to be human.

Essentials is a collection of Toomer's ponderings in his search for wholeness in a fragmented world. Drawing on modern psychology and eastern religious belief Toomer falls into the company of Emerson, Thoreau and Gibran as he deals with that which is transcendent. He revives the use of aphorisms to convey timeless truths in a world which is incapable of moving beyond its limited definitions of life.

Long ignored, this work gives us a glimpse of Toomer's metaphysical tendencies. Through it we capture another alternative view of dealing with reality. It is essential reading for anyone interested in metaphysics, African-American literature, and Toomer; it also serves as a example of a Black writer who refused to be limited by definitions of race for his life. Think on his words. Grow in the wisdom shared by a great literary giant of the 20th century." Amazon Review by Bonita L. Davis, on November 28, 2000

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