Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed
"Mumbo Jumbo" is a satirical and unconventional novel that explores the cultural and political landscape of 1920s America. The narrative centers around an ancient virus known as "Jes Grew" which is spreading rapidly, causing people to dance, feel joy and lose their inhibitions. The protagonist, an African-American detective, is tasked with finding the text that supposedly contains the cure for this "disease". The book uses this premise to critique Western civilization and its attempts to suppress African and other non-European cultures.
The 1319th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1972
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 224
- Words
- 59,500
- Original Language
- English
- Alternate Titles
- None
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following 8 lists:
- 24th on 100 Best Novels in English Since 1900 (Counterpunch)
- The 100 Greatest American Novels, 1893 – 1993 (Jeff O'Neal at Bookriot.com)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- The Great American Novels (The Atlantic)
- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List (1,000 Books to Read Before You Die(Book))
- 200 Books That Shaped 200 Years of Literature (The Center for Fiction)
- Donald Barthelme’s Reading List (Believer Mag)
- A Response to David Handlin’s “One Hundred Best American Novels” (The American Scholar)