to hear toni morrison speak of narrative as "one of the principle ways in which we absorb knowledge," and language as "meditation," is to enter into a miraculously new understanding of what it means to sit down with a novel, biography, book of creative nonfiction, or even a simple short story. to note that she is stating these declarations while accepting the 1993 nobel prize for literature before members of the swedish academy doubles the thrill. [return:][return:]for those who have found masterworks by morrison, such as "beloved" and "jazz," somewhat daunting, hearing what she appreciates most about literature provides invaluable clues to what one experiences in her own literary art. the autumn-breeze whisper of her voice is an enthralling contrast to the laser heat and precision of her mind nobly at work.[return:][return:]aberjhani[return:]author of "encyclopedia of the harlem renaissance"[return:]and "visions of a skylark dressed in black"