Book Review: Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and other Wily Characters by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Andre Carrilho

McKissack, Patricia C. 2006. PORCH LIES: TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS, AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS. Illustrated by Andre Carrilho. New York, NY: Schwartz and Wade Books. ISBN 0-375-93619-X.

Plot Summary: This anthology of African American porch lies, a variant of the trickster genre, presents ten stories that are entertaining and engaging while also teaching a lesson or moral. “The Devil’s Guitar” is based on the Robert Johnson legend where Johnson sells his soul to the devil in order to gain fame and fortune as a guitar player. In this version, a young man impersonates Johnson and is quite surprised when the Devil shows up for his soul. He must then convince the Devil that he is not Johnson and in doing so, realizes that, like Baum’s Dorothy, he need not travel far from home to find his heart’s desire.

“By the Weight of a Feather” involves a n’er-do-well groom with cold feet who, after spending the night before his wedding among spirits (reminiscent of Dickens), discovers that his soul has been saved by one good deed (one feather), turns his life around, and lives ‘happily ever after’ with his bride. Other stories in the anthology include “Change,” about the creative use of a hundred dollar bill, “Aunt Gran and the Outlaws,” which involves a hunt for gold and the infamous James Brothers, and “Cake Norris Lives On,” (Parts One and Two), a story where floors and an elevator take the place of Dante’s levels of hell.

This anthology is not only a delight to read but also thought provoking and offers a fascinating glimpse into the African American oral tradition. Each story contains a lesson or a moral presented in an entertaining and engaging format and is accompanied by a brief description of the tale’s origin and the individual storyteller. After reading this book, one is left wishing for a summer evening after the dishes are done, a whitewashed porch, a glass of fresh lemonade, and a good story.

Critical Analysis: Falling under the category of literary tales, McKissack has presented new tales using the motifs and style of the traditional folk story. Though based on the African oral tradition, these stories are the original creation of McKissack based on her memories of her childhood spent on her grandparents’ porch. The stories’ structure follows the rhythm and wisdom of the African American storytellers of the American South. The characters are archetypes of good and evil representing the best and worst of humanity and are somewhat stereotypical and symbolic. The plots are simple and follow a linear storyline with a satisfying if somewhat predictable conclusion. Each story leaves the reader with a moral lesson or at the very least the inspiration to become a better person.

Settings vary from story to story depending on the plot and include a haunted house, heaven and hell, and the home of a rich spinster. The settings are integral to establish the plot but do not dominate the story. The messages imparted in these tales reflect the desire of people to make sense of the world around them and to understand universal truths. The style of McKissack’s writing draws on the African American oral tradition and it is this rhythm that makes these stories ideal to be read out loud. Being porch lies, the main motif is trickery, with each protagonist ultimately prevailing over a cunning antagonist. African American history is interwoven in the stories, including references to the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan, and the impact of the Great Depression on the African American community. The author employs elements of African American dialect (idiomatic expressions) such as ‘cause instead of because and s’pose instead of suppose. The pervasive use of nicknames reflects both the African influence as well as the nature of slavery in the antebellum South.

The black and white illustrations by Andre Carrilho are caricatures which exaggerate features yet allow the reader to identify with the characters and settings. The illustrations show strong African American characters, proud of their heritage, and often have a jazz-like quality that fits well with the Depression-era settings. Cultural markers reflect both the African and African American influence on the genre and include the aforementioned idioms and use of nicknames, the significance of family and religion, and a justifiable wariness and deference when dealing with whites (for example Link’s relationship with Mis Crickett).

Reviews:

Winner of the Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Book (2006), ALA Notable Children’s Book (2007)

Random House: “A worthy successor to McKissack’s The Dark Thirty. Side-splittingly funny, spine-chilling spooky…”

School Library Journal: “Great fun to read aloud…(these) stories make for great leisure listening and knowing chuckles.”

Booklist: “Surprising twists and turns that are true to trickster tradition…Great for sharing, on the porch and in the classroom.”

Connections:

Ask the children if they have heard any stories told by their friends or relatives. Have them share these stories with the group. Have the librarian/teacher share a story from their own childhood.

This book has been adapted into a play by Ron Himes and Linda Kennedy. It is performed by the St. Louis Black Rep in and around St. Louis and the Midwest. Research local storytellers and invite one to come to your school or library to make a presentation.

Compare a story from this book with a trickster tale from another culture. Example: Native American trickster tales like How Rabbit Tricked Otter and How Coyote Stole Fire or African trickster tales such as The Cat and the Rat or How Chameleon became a Ride. Use a graphic organizer to examine similarities and differences.

Take one story in the collection and create an illustrated flow chart. This can be done together or as a small group or independent activity. Perhaps the teacher/librarian can model one as a large group activity and then have the children choose another for their flow chart.

Have the children write their own trickster tale once they understand the purpose and structure. Provide them with a worksheet to guide their writing (who is the trickster, is it a person or an animal, what is the trick, who gets tricked, what is the lesson or moral, what is the title). Choose two or three and have the students read their tale to the group or class.