Corregidora

I wasn't familiar with the work of Gayl Jones, but my prep for our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club conversation with Grown Women author Sarai Johnson pointed me to her: Johnson cited Jones's work as inspiration for her own story about four generations of Southern Black women, particularly Corregidora, first published in 1975, acquired and edited by Toni Morrison. The titular character Ursa Corregidora is a Kentucky jazz singer who, after suffering a violent injury that leaves her unable to have children, confronts and attempts to come to terms with the trauma experienced by generations of women in her family. This was a bracing read, with a distinct vernacular style and a great deal of violence; in an effort to better understand it I went down a rabbit hole and have learned so much about Jones, her Kentucky roots, and her deep impact on American and Black literature. For those interested, I especially enjoyed this 2021 profile by Imani Perry, which also includes much about Jones's Kentucky roots and current residence. Given the Kentucky connection I can't believe I wasn't better acquainted with Jones before but I'm grateful that Sarai Johnson guided me in her direction.