Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston 1891 - 1960

Zora Neale Hurston, the Barnard College graduate, is widely regarded as the greatest female writer of the 20th century. Hurston was born in Notasulga, Alabama to two parents that were previously enslaved. The masterpieces that Hurston produced during the Harlem Renaissance proved timeless and shine brightly under the light of 21st century standards, despite a lack of appreciation for her work when she was alive.

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Credit: Carl Van Vechten. Silver geletin print, 1938

Hurston broke the mold with her willingness to publish works highlighting Black love, feminism, and other aspects of Black identity that were largely omitted from the Black literary canon at the time. She was not rewarded with the wealth these works deserved. But Hurston remained steadfast in her devotion to focusing her writing on Black culture which included love and faith. This unique coverage during the Harlem Renaissance made Hurston a unique talent.

Hurston is widely known for her seminal novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” a novel that follows the tumultuous life of a mixed race girl searching for love and life in post-slavery Florida. The following list of Hurston’s genius oeuvre includes pieces well known and lesser known but each captivating in their own right:

• “Every Tongue Got to Confess” a collection of folktales
• “Moses, Man of the Mountain” a captivating Black folk novel about Moses’ journey of redemption and faith
• “Seraph on the Suwanee” is a novel that diverges from Hurston’s trademark focus on Black culture. In Seraph on the Suwanee, Hurston reaches deep to discuss the depth and power of love • “Dust Tracks on a Road” offers readers a glimpse into the mindset of how Hurston viewed herself and the account of her life she notes in this autobiography

Recently published is “Barracoon,” a collection of notes from Hurston’s 1927 interview with the last living person (Cudjo Lewis) transported from Africa to the Americas enslaved. 

Zora Neale Hurston left an indelible mark on Black literature. Her great wit and folk writing style have influenced writers for generations.