This collection of comparative critical and theoretical essays examines James Baldwin and Toni Morrison's reciprocal literary relationship. By reading these authors side-by-side, this collection forges new avenues of discovery and interpretation related to their representations of African American and American literature and cultural experience.

LOVALERIE KING is Assistant Professor of African American Language and Literature at Pennsylvania State University-University Park, USA.    LYNN ORILLA SCOTT is Visiting Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, USA.