Jonah'S Gourd Vine Av Zora Neale Hurston

<p><b>BY ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WRITERS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY </b><br><br><b>With a new introduction by JESMYN WARD</b> <br><br><b>''Fierce, insightful and often devilishly funny'' COLIN GRANT, <i>GUARDIAN </i></b><br><br><b>''One of the greatest writers of our time'' TONI MORRISON </b><br><br><b>''A bold and beautiful book'' CARL SANDBURG </b><br><br>Born on the wrong side of the creek, John Buddy Pearson, the son of a slave, has come a long way since his shoeless days. With some schooling, a job and marriage to clever Lucy Potts, his fortunes are looking up. But, unable to resist the lure of women or a fight, he''s forced to flee town or face life on the chain gang.<br><br>John finds himself in Sanford, Florida, and sends for Lucy and the children. There, he discovers a talent for preaching, and, with the support of his wife, becomes pastor of Zion Hope Church, rousing his congregation with his fervent sermons. He is now a pillar of the community, respected and popular. Before long, though, he is praying for his own sins - for his powers of persuasion aren''t limited to the pulpit and the town won''t stand for his philandering ways.<br><br>Originally published in 1934, this is Zora Neale Hurston''s first novel.</p>