This collection contributes to scholarly discussions about the African American novel as a literary form. Essays respond to the general question, what has been the impact of the African American vernacular tradition from the spirituals, blues, gospel and jazz to hip hop on the structure and style of the modern African American novel?

LOVALERIE KING is Assistant Professor of African American Language and Literature at Penn State University. 

LINDA F. SELZER is Assistant Professor of English at Penn State University with a specialization in African American Literature
and Culture.