The Portable Promised Land
by Touré
List Price: $13.95
Pages: 272
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0316738360
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Welcome to Soul City, the fictional American metropolis where magic is as natural as sunshine and where an array of flamboyant, wise, and joyful characters celebrate life's simple pleasures and draw strength from each other in hard times. With this inspired collection-in which irreverent humor and sharp-eyed social satire memorably collide-Touré emerges as one of the most talented and inventive young writers at work today.
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1. The "Steviewondermobile" is a paean to Stevie Wonder, but could the story be centered around another artist? How would the story be different if it were a Ninasimonmobile? A Louiearmstrongmobile? A Franksinatramobile? A Beatlesmobile? A Jayzmobile?
2. Is the Right Reveren Daddy Love a sympathetic character or an unsympathetic character? Could he be both? What real-life person do you think most resembles him?
3. Is the author fair to both genders in "The Breakup Ceremony" or does one end up looking more foolish than the other?
4. Do all of the characters' names have special meaning? What is your favorite of all the characters' names in The Portable Promised Land, and what do you think it says about the character? How would you rename that character if you could? What would your name be if you lived in the world of these stories?
5. Afrolexicology Today's Biannual List doesn't define all the words given. How would you define those words? What words would you add to the list?
6. "My History" reimagines the past. Try it yourself: What historical events do you wish had happened differently or hadn't happened at all? What do you think this story is saying about the events described? Do you think it's useful to reimagine history?
7. Is "We Words" a short story? An essay? A poem? Why does it belong in a collection of more conventionally told stories? Are there any words in the story you don't recognize? Are there any words in the story you think don't belong, or words that should be added? Would "We Words" be very different if it were written five years from now? Five years ago?
8. Do you think The Black Widow's album would be successful on today's charts? Would you buy the album?
9. What would you do if you woke up to discover your five-year-old had somehow transformed into a Little Black Sambo? Why does the author make Sambo's parents Black Panthers? What does their frustration with their son's new form say about Black pride? Do you think their reactions are appropriate?
10. Flying is one of the most important themes in the collection. Why? Where does flying play an important role? What does flying symbolize?
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"I've been waiting a long time for an African-American to write inventive, edgy, sexy, magical, whimsical, funny, and smart stories that challenge the form, stereotypes of black people, display the beauty of black speech, and in a very subliminal manner, through it all, manages to sneak in and address the politics of race in the fabulously imagined utopia called Soul City. Touré' has broken new ground with this collection because he breaks all the rules, which makes it that much more refreshing. He's a smart, edgy, risking-taking young writer, so watch him. The ride is wild!"
—Terry McMillan, author of Waiting to Exhale
"Agreeably shocking, sharply perceptive, quite funny."
—Kirkus
"A measured yet whimsical look at the ups and (more often) downs of modern African-American life and culture in his successful debut collection of stories, lists and essays."
—Publisher's Weekly
"Touré has given life in Soul City a comic edge, revealing the humor and absurdities behind the seriousness of race. ...Highly recommended."
—Library Journal
