In the Labyrinth

Kora, Calabash, and Drum: West African Musicians, Photographs circa 1964

My father Emile Snyder was a professor of African Literature and Languages, specializing in contemporary African Literature written in French and English. He taught at a number of universities, including the University of Wisconsin - Madison, the University of Dar- es Salaam, Tanzania, and Indiana University. In 1964 when he was just embarking on a career change from 17th century French literature to African Literature, he received a fullbright to do research on African contemporary literature in West Africa. While he was there he met and interviewed many emerging African authors and had a chance to visit quite a bit of the west coast -- thriteen countries in all. I have decided to post an amazing series of photos he took of a huge festival/procession in a small village that brought together a wide range of musicians and griots (itinerant praise poets.) You can see the entire collection in an album in the right-hand sidebar column. Read and view more photographs >>>

"Molly" in "Troll's Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales"

 

 

The new anthology, Troll's Eye View: A Book of Villianous Tales, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling is now out for the reading pleasure of your favorite middle grade scary-book reader. (My kids devoured all of Alvin Schwartz's wonderfully ghoulish and creepy tales at that age.) The anthology offers versions of well-known fairy tales, but from a unique perspective -- the villains'. Do they really suffer at the hands of our familiar heroes and heroines? In my story "Molly," based on the English fairy tale "Molly Whuppie," the Giant ogre and his family are certainly made to suffer cruel and unusual punishments. In the traditional version of the tale Molly Whuppie is a heroic youngest sister, outwitting a flesh eating Giant, and securing riches for her sisters as well as royal marriages -- on the Giant's dime of course. Read more>>>

Dreamy Art Deco Magazine Covers for Asia Magazine by Frank McIntosh

Frank McIntosh is famous for his glorious art deco covers for Asia Magazine, which was popular from the 1920s to the 1940s.  My mother had a collection of the magazines when she was younger -- and sliced off the covers to keep as art. I found them (yes...on the endless "every box must be opened and addressed move") and I am happy to send a bunch out your way for your viewing pleasure. These beauties are from 1926 and 1928 issues. I am pretty sure the "25" (cents) at the top of the pages is the price my mom paid for each magazine.

 

 

 

Yeah, I know...I find them dazzling.