Africana Books

I read this book on my trip back home and I truly felt as if I was back in time. During the Carnival in Dominica, the characters in the book came alive to me so real.John did her job of pulling me into the history, the characters, the bourgeoise mentality, the Catholicism of the island. I never give away good books but I just had to share the wealth to another Antiguan-Dominican to enjoy the fire of who we are.

Marie-Elena graciously takes you inside the history and lives of the Dominican people. You will visit the island's original Carib people who discovered Columbus when he arrived in 1493. Yes, be careful because you may actually learn something by reading this novel. Don't worry. Marie-Elena weaves a wonderful tale that will also feed some of your thirst for sex and action, while simultaneously increasing your knowledge of Africa and the Caribbean. She explores the African heritage that has been preserved in the Caribbean for over a century through rituals and everyday life. She also touches on the similarities and divide that exist between Africans, Caribbeans, and African Americans here in America. Overall, Marie-Elena John has written a wonderful novel that entices and intrigues. It is a must read for this summer or anytime you want to take a trip to the beautiful island of Dominica.

I enjoyed the story a great deal. John is a very talented writer so full of rich detail. The story itself was a true page turner. However, about 2/3rd's of the way through the book the story started to fizzle and become a little tedious. So many events,past and present, were built up to a disappointing climax. I found myself rereading thinking I had missed something. For example, Lillian and all her childhood short comings at the Catholic ceremonies. Her twenty year cat and mouse attraction to Teddy that simply lead to repeated odd ruff house sex complete with band aids and bruises.

The "big revelation" ending fell a little flat. I really thought Teddy was going to hear something profound from Sylvie or Bird (Magistrat not Magic...Noir not Noah. OKAY...?)The ending let the reader draw somewhat of their own conclusion which I appreciate. I just wish Malitda, Iris and Lillian were not so disconnected. Never was there a conversation between any of them.

John wrote with a true love and understanding of the culture of these women. That was the book's greatest asset.

This book was a definite page turner. I found myself torn between wanting to know what was going to happen next to not wanting the book to end. (I literally dragged out the last few chapters for as long as I could). I liked how each chapter went back and forth from the past to the present until they caught up with each other and I loved the way the history of Dominica was weaved through out the book. The language was raw and honest. Marie-Elena John is a powerful new voice it the literary world and I cant wait to read her next book.

Wow. What a great novel! It's hard to believe it's fiction. The way the author ties in the characters, as well as the geographical and cultural references almost make this novel seem like a recap of Dominican oral histories. And to top it off, I learned sooo much from this book. I found myself constantly researching many of the references in the book: Maroons, Caribs, and Igbo cultures, the History of Ash Wednesday, Masquerades, Jacko's Flat, the boiling lake, etc....all things that I had no or limited knowledge about before reading this book. I highly recommend this book..truly honored to add it my book collection.

One of the most important studies on the psyche of our children. Clear analysis, straight and comparative along with a variety of ideas on how to raise Black children to become prodcutive additions to our African Nation.