Devil tales

"Devil Tales" by Virginia Frazer Boyle is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The work delves into folklore and supernatural themes, centering on the lives of African American characters and their interactions with mystical elements and the devil. Through rich storytelling infused with cultural references, it explores themes of love, jealousy, and the struggle for freedom. The opening of "Devil Tales" sets the stage with the introduction of a character named Solon, who is experiencing marital troubles with his wife Juno. Their quarrel, intensified by Juno's suspicions regarding Solon’s late-night absences, leads her to consult a local hoodoo practitioner for guidance. The narrative highlights the use of folk beliefs and magic as Juno embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about Solon’s activities, hinting at a deeper exploration of themes surrounding deception, superstition, and the moral complexities within their community. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Virginia Frazer Boyle was an American author of prose and poetry. Interested in the Confederacy, she wrote several novels and more than 100 poems that took up various aspects and presented inspirational and patriotic points of view. She served as the poet laureate of the United Confederate Veterans and the Confederate Southern Memorial Association. She had innumerable stories and poems published in magazines. Boyle did extraordinary war work for the U.S. during World War I, receiving citations and medals for her service for Italy, and was made life member of two of the French Academies.