The Identifying Fictions of Toni Morrison - by J Duvall Hardcover

About the Book

This book examines Morrison's fiction, criticism, and interviews for traces of her struggle to construct a useable identity as an African American woman novelist.

Book Synopsis

Although all published biographical information on Toni Morrison agrees that her birth name was Chloe Anthony Wofford, John Duvall's book challenges this claim. Using new biographical information, he explores the issue of names and naming in Morrison's fiction and repeatedly finds surprising traces of the Nobel Prize-winning author's struggle to construct a useable identity as an African American woman novelist. Whatever the exact circumstances surrounding her decision to become Toni, one thing becomes clear: the question of identity was not a given for Morrison.

Review Quotes

'...an important contribution to Morrison criticism...it gestures toward powerful issues at the center of Morrison's work...'

- Erik Dussere, Novel

'The Identifying Fictions of Toni Morrison is, without question, the most engaging book on Morrison I have ever read.'

- Michael Awkward

'..an effective new way to read one of our most important writers.'

- South Atlantic Review

About the Author

JOHN DUVALLl is Associate Professor of English at Purdue University.