The Hand I Fan With is the story of Lena McPherson, a 40 years old successful woman who lives in Mulberry. She seems to have everything except a man. Born with a caul on her face, she is plagued by spirits. She inherited her father’s businesses, a bar and real estate and is well-respected and liked by the townspeople, not only because she has helped many of them out with money whenever they have trouble paying their bills but also because they believe she is lucky. Whatever she touches turns into wealth. Ansa describes Lena’s childhood as being traumatic, no friends because of her unusual nightmares etc. She spends chapters describing Lena’s position in the town, her school days, her parents and the house Lena builds for herself and the land surrounding it. Then she introduces Herman, a spirit Lena and her friend Sister called up. Herman who died 100 years ago at age 35 appears before Lena and is capable of becoming flesh. It is a love story centering around Lena and Herman, going into great detail about their lovemaking. Ansa's emphasis is on character development. While the novel captures the Black ethos and is filled with black culture, the rendering in the beginning is slow and ponderous. Several times I almost put it down; however, I'm glad I stayed with it. The action picked up and I found myself engaged emotionally. Overall, I enjoyed the story though as I mentioned above, Ansa’s style is a bit cumbersome. It’s a comprehensive story however, it doesn’t make for quick, easy reading.
every time i get lonely, i read The Hand I Fan With. This is the Best romantic book ever. it was easy to relate to Lena, who seems to have it all together, but can't find a decent man. so she or someone conjures up Herman. he is the man alot of us been searching for. i laughed and i felt good, and i cried like a baby, when Lena cried like a baby. i won't say too much to give it away. but i would read this book over and over if i didn't have so many other books waiting to be read. you will not be disappointed.
Do You like book The Hand I Fan With (1997)?
This follow-up to Ansa's Baby of the Family lacks the vibrancy of that original novel, and trades its themes of difficult adolescence, class, and history for a surprisingly unimaginative supernatural romance. By way of example, the ghostly lover Lena conjures is named Herman--drop a space three letters into that name and you'll get an idea of how cheesy some of this is. There were bits that I liked, and the message of finding independence while still assisting one's community is a good one, but
—Jesse Bullington
This book is many things and although the love story is very well done, is extremely sensual and touching, a large part of the book is just Lena's. And Lena is a wonderfully funny, likable character. The book is about her growth as a person as she learns how to slow down and enjoy the simpler pleasures of life - and learns that she doesn't have to please everyone (and learns that some people aren't happy no matter how much you do). The book goes into vivid detail about her small town and the people she gives her heart and soul to. It's heartbreaking, uplifting, erotic and funny and teaches a lesson a lot of us can really benefit from. I definitely enjoyed this story.
—Bark's Book Nonsense
I got to page 20. Three abandoned books in two days, I am not having a good track record. With the good score this one has on Goodreads, I expected better. I've not read any other book by the author, and I found her style tedious and plodding. I wasn't drawn into any of the characters, something that can usually save a bad book for me. I did skip ahead to read a handful of scenes with Lena's man, Herman. From what I gathered, this book is about a very lucky/blessed woman in her mid 40s that expends too much energy taking care of her small southern community. She finds a man (view spoiler)[ a GHOST man, somehow and someway (hide spoiler)]
—Patrice Sartor
