Palmares
Palmares by Gayl Jones, published by Beacon Press on September 14, 2021, is a 504-page work that explores the journey of a Black woman through the complexities of slavery and liberation in 17th-century colonial Brazil. This edition presents a narrative centered on Almeyda, a slave girl who escapes to a fugitive settlement called Palmares and embarks on a quest across Brazil to reunite with her husband after the settlement’s destruction. The book intricately weaves elements of historical fiction and magical realism, offering a vivid portrayal of a world shaped by greed and colonial ambition.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of characters and settings as Almeyda encounters a variety of figures, including a mad lexicographer and a mystical medicine woman. The narrative combines Jones’s mastery of language with her unique storytelling style, creating a sweeping saga that spans a quarter century. Palmares not only recounts a personal journey but also reflects broader themes of resilience and identity within the context of African American history. This edition invites readers to engage with a significant literary voice and experience a compelling reimagining of historical events.
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2022 Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Fiction
A NPR BOOKS WE LOVE 2021 Selection
A New York Times “Biggest New Books Coming Out in September” Selection · A New York Times Book Review Editors Choice Pick · A Guardian “50 Biggest Books of Autumn 2021” Selection · An Esquire “Best Books of Fall 2021” Selection · A Buzzfeed “Best Books Coming Out This Fall” Selection · A Bustle “Most Anticipated Books of September 2021” Selection · A LitHub “22 Novels You Need to Read This Fall” Selection · A Kirkus Reviews “16 Best Books to Read in September” Selection · A Root September “PageTurner”
“This story shimmers. Shakes. Wails. Moves to rhythms long forgotten . . . in many ways: holy. [A] masterpiece.”—The New York Times Book Review
The epic rendering of a Black woman’s journey through slavery and liberation, set in 17th-century colonial Brazil; the return of a major voice in American literature.
First discovered and edited by Toni Morrison, Gayl Jones has been described as one of the great literary writers of the 20th century. Now, for the first time in over 20 years, Jones is ready to publish again. Palmares is the first of five new works by Gayl Jones to be published in the next two years, rewarding longtime fans and bringing her talent to a new generation of readers.
Intricate and compelling, Palmares recounts the journey of Almeyda, a Black slave girl who comes of age on Portuguese plantations and escapes to a fugitive slave settlement called Palmares. Following its destruction, Almeyda embarks on a journey across colonial Brazil to find her husband, lost in battle.
Her story brings to life a world impacted by greed, conquest, and colonial desire. She encounters a mad lexicographer, desperate to avoid military service; a village that praises a god living in a nearby cave; and a medicine woman who offers great magic, at a greater price.
Combining the author’s mastery of language and voice with her unique brand of mythology and magical realism, Jones reimagines the historical novel. The result is a sweeping saga spanning a quarter century, with vibrant settings and unforgettable characters, steeped in the rich oral tradition of its world. Of Gayl Jones, the New Yorker noted, “[Her] great achievement is to reckon with both history and interiority, and to collapse the boundary between them.” Like nothing else before it, Palmares embodies this gift.
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