Possessing the Secret of JoyWhen Alice Walker finished writing The Color Purple she realised that she needed to tell the story of Tashi, a minor character, who had "left Africa but had taken her wound with her to America". This is Tashi's story, told in her words and the voices of the people who loved her. This extraordinarily courageous and compelling novel explores the tragic consequences of Tashi's decision to go through the female initiation ceremony.

They are the Beautiful Ones

the threads of the Weaver's ruthless plan are slowly being drawn together

ruthless murderer

and the year before that

even the land rises up

and others are as new and destructive as children

she hears whispers about ghosts moving among those still living and a strange inn-keeper whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion

a man she has known since childhood

the heir in exile

By the time he reaches the man with the gun

Within months

as other Deathless families come under constant assault from the monsters that roam the Wild