Over the Lip of the World

A gifted travel writer and poet tells of her journey to Madagascar to explore Malagasy oral traditions and myths

Gifted travel writer, poet, professor of English, and insightful observer of human nature, Colleen McElroy journeyed to Madagascar to undertake a Fulbright research project exploring Malagasy oral traditions and myths. In Over the Lip of the World she depicts with equal verve the various storytelling traditions of the island and her own adventures in trying to find and record them.

McElroy’s tale of an African American woman’s travels among the people of Madagascar is told with wit, insight, and humor. Throughout it she interweaves English translations of Malagasy stories of heroism and morality, royalty and commoners, love and revenge, and the magic of tricksters and shapechangers.

"A Piquant glimpse into Malagasy storytelling, set to advantage by the kind of poised writing that makes one slow down, read carefully, savor."

"A fascinating look at a part of the world not often explored."

"McElroy's well-worded account of the sights, sounds, and people of Madagascar offers the reader a genuine sense of place. Filled with magic and intrigue, Over the Lip of the World will take its readers precisely there."

"McElroy the poet is indeed obvious in every line of this work as she brilliantly develops characters, relates adventures, and captures the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and feel of every area of her travels."—Daryl Cumber Dance, author of Honey, Hush! An Anthology of African American Women’s Humor

"Colleen McElroy, one of the country’s most versatile writers, scores large with this book about her adventures among the storytellers of Madagascar. Her characters and scenes are as fabulous as those found in a novel."—Ishmael Reed, author of Mumbo Jumbo

Colleen J. McElroy:

"On the southern coast of Madagascar, the sea takes its own level, cutting a corrugated shoreline of reefs and eddies into the sometimes shallow, sometimes deep waters. There is nothing beyond except Antarctica. At Cap Sainte Marie, a sign warns: ‘Stop! Extreme South!’ Beyond it, the ocean goes on forever."