44 pages • 1 hour read
Mumbo Jumbo
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
224
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1920s
1972
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Published in 1973, Ishmael Reed’s Mumbo Jumbo tells the story of Papa LaBas, a voodoo priest, fighting against the Wallflower Order to protect the cultural epidemic Jes Grew in 1920s Harlem. Using nontraditional storytelling techniques, the novel blends postmodernism and Afrofuturism, exploring themes through an Afrocentric lens and highlighting efforts to reclaim non-Western cultural artifacts.
Mysterious
Challenging
Gritty
Dark
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
5,013 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed is praised for its imaginative storytelling, satirical brilliance, and cultural commentary. Critics commend its unique blend of genres and inventive prose. However, some find it disjointed and challenging to follow due to its complex structure and rich allusions. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and avant-garde work.
Who Should Read Mumbo Jumbo?
Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed will engage readers who appreciate literary satire, historical fiction, and social criticism. Fans of novels like Joseph Heller's Catch-22 and Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow will enjoy its complexity, cultural references, and blending of folklore with modernity. Perfect for those intrigued by African American culture and postmodern literature.
5,013 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Hinckle Von Vampton
Hinckle Von Vampton
The novel’s antagonist, a European figure striving to suppress Jes Grew and uphold Western supremacy through manipulation.
Berbelang
Berbelang
A radical leader who departs from LaBas’s group to advance Afrocentric culture by reclaiming non-Western art from museums.
Abdul Hamid
Abdul Hamid
A Black Muslim critical of LaBas's methods, who sees Islam as the path to Black advancement and plays a key role concerning the Book of Thoth.
Biff Musclewhite
Biff Musclewhite
The tough, archetypal curator of the Center of Art Detention with a corrupt background linked to the police force.
Benoit Battraville
Benoit Battraville
A Voodoo practitioner based on a historical figure, he leads a ship bound for justice against certain antagonists.
224
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1920s
1972
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.