Fred D'Aguiar

This is a novelization of life in Jim Jones's religious colony in Guyana with a particular focus on the lives of the children whose parents brought them there. If you are not familiar with the Jonestown Massacre, under the leadership of Jim Jones, close to 1000 members of the cult which he brought with him to the jungles of Guyana committed suicide by drinking cyanide-laced KoolAid after a Congressional delegation threatened to expose that many members were being kept in the commune against show more their will and to free them. More than 300 of the deaths were of children. The author has stated that one of the reasons behind the book is, "The kids in the fact of their dying never had a say."

The story is told from multiple povs, even including from the pov of Adam, a captive gorilla. The focus is on Trina, a young girl who has received special attention from the leader, here referred to only as "Father" or "the Reverend," and on Joyce Trina's mother. Joyce has come to realize that there is a real danger to staying in the compound and is plotting ways for her and Trina to escape. The commune members, including Joyce, are basically performing slave labor and receiving starvation rations, while the Reverend lives in luxury, with gourmet meals, any sex partner he desires, and recreational drugs. Guyanan officials are corruptly involved in returning to the compound any members who have tried to escape and ensuring that mail does not always get through to relatives back in the US.

As the story progresses, the author excellently portrays the myriad of ways in which the Reverend controls the lives of the residents, and the subtle ways in which he is preparing them for a mass suicide. A mood of paranoia has been consistently instilled, and any disagreement or dissent is harshly and immediately punished. There are spies everywhere, and children are encouraged to report any grumbling words they may hear from their parents or any other adult. And the children themselves do not escape harsh punishment, and so for the most part they are fearful and obedient. The book made me entirely understand why 1000 people would "drink the KoolAid."

When I started the book, it quickly became apparent that the first section is being narrated by Adam, the gorilla, and I wasn't entirely sure this would work as a narrative device. In the end, I was satisfied with this little bit of I guess could be called magical realism, though there are some reviewers for whom this did not work. From this opening section, the book slowly builds the world of this strict religious compound, all the while ratcheting up the mood of dread and tension towards the horrific event we know is coming.

Recommended. 3 1/2 stars show less

I approach novels written by poets with trepidation, but D'Aguiar's tale of slavery in early 19th century Virginia is a masterful work. The rotating cast of narrators are well drawn characters, painting a heartbreaking story. Very recommended.

I so enjoy books where lyrical evocative writing brings to life the time and place of the storyline. Children of Paradise is such a book. The time is the late 1970s, and the place is commune deep in the jungles of Guyana. The storyline is loosely based on the true events of Jim Jones’s utopian community but especially speaks to the voiceless children and their lives in this environment. As beautiful as the prose is it is plainspoken in oppression, heartbreak, and blind faith expected of show more the all commune inhabitants.
But it was Adam, the commune gorilla that had me turning the pages. I loved hearing his thoughts on what was going on around him and how he made decisions based on his own fate and survival. His back story and what his dreams were also a nice touch.
I liked how the tension was slowly built and maintained throughout the story. Even though I knew the outcome it did not keep me from being hopeful and optimistic that some would escape the fatal outcome. There is one haunting heartbreaking scene that was so beautifully written that it will stay with me long past finishing the book. The children are so hungry (they stayed in a stage of hunger and growling stomachs while the leader feasted every meal) and make a plan to “steal” a loaf of bread and Ryan decided among the children that he was the best person for the job. I was like the children holding my breath and taking every step with Ryan.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy stories about wolves who walk around in sheep’s clothing. show less

Reason Read: Fred D'Agular BAC for January 2023. Fred D'Agular is a British-Guyanese poet, novelist, and playwright. He is currently Professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles. This was written about his experience in 2020 with cancer during COVID. He was born in London. He lived in Guyana with his grandmother. Mr D'Agular trained as a registered nurse but ended up being a creative writer; poetry, playwright, novels.

I enjoyed the first part of the book more than the show more last part. The first part involves his prostate cancer. He used Anansi (African Spider folktale). The struggles of dealing with this diagnosis, and the complications of COVID restrictions. The last part deals more with living after the surgical removal, social issues, family issues and including poetry.

I am glad to have read this. show less