Oracle of the Ages: Reflections on the Curious Life of Fortune Teller Mayhayley Lancaster

by Dot Moore, Katie LaMar Smith

Mayhayley Lancaster was many things through her interesting lawyer, schoolteacher, political activist, fortune teller, numbers runner, and self-proclaimed "oracle of the ages." In this new volume of creative nonfiction, the people who knew her reflect on her personality, her politics, and her passions, offering the reader a chance to delve fully into Mayhayley lore and legend. Oracle offers strange and often hilarious stories of the poor Georgia South in the post-Depression era, and how the eccentric Mayhayley's charisma and mysterious powers cast a spell on all the people who knew--and inevitably misunderstood--her.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

160 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think you need to be native to this rural area of Georgia to appreciate this book. I'm not.

[Andy Loch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man or woman? Or both? Dot Moore did a fine job in pulling together the very frayed life of Mayhayley. Her interviews of people who personally knew Mayhayley provided compelling evidence that Mayhayley was more than one person could fathom. Mayhayley certainly had sway over her believers and admiration from non-believers. Her life's comings and goings read like a halloween tale come true. Her antics swirled up dust devil winds, so much, that its hard to come away with a focused picture of what was truth or made up fiction. Mrs. Moore excellently points out where the paved road and the muddy foot paths lay.
Her writing is clear and easy to read. It is well researched and gives insights that allow the absurdity of Mahayley to be acceptable and believable. Mahayley flummoxed and entertained all she encountered. Her story will grow and never be fully finished till time stands still.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book about Mayhayley Lancaster from Heard County!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had a fascination with Mayhayley for quite some time. This book tells her story from those who knew her. Good read.

[Amelia Livezey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it much more than I expected! Smiled and laughed a couple times. Very quick and easy read.

[Terri Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt as if I had come home while reading this book. My grandfather grew up in rural Heard County, Georgia, and I heard the voices of people telling stories about the kind of life they lived. My great-grandfather farmed cotton just down the road from Miss Mahaley, and they often went to her for advice and entertainment. Dot Moore has captured the feel of this time and place very well.

[Teresa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

After attending a historical presentation about Mayhayley and always being interested in the book Murder in Coweta County I had to know more. I've lived I. the county for 25 years and this ius still a topic discussed all the time from the guilt or innocence side. This book shares a lot of information on her and clarifies her life.

[Joe Alcock · Rating 1 out of 5]

A little digression from my usual readings. This is the fortune teller's story from the Book Murder in Coweta County. Also a movie.

[Maria Denney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little Heard County history of Mayhayley Lancaster. If you or your ancestors are or were from Heard, you already know about this legend.