Marcia Douglas

I really started strong on this. I loved the patois, the Bob Marley duppy thing, the unique formatting, and the Rasta POV often from women (something I've almost NEVER experienced). I still really like this book for that, but for some reason, I stalled about halfway through and never could renew my enthusiasm. Perhaps life has been too crazy this month. It really was charming...I feel like this is one I could return to in the future.

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Many thanks to New Directions and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.… (more)

This novel intertwines the histories of several generations of Jamaican women, their pain and joys, along with folklore, magic and (brutal) history. Ida hears the voices of the dead and understands the stories that are told by the animals and plants. Claudia is searching for the mother she never knew. Gracie's mother leaves to work in the US and doesn't send for her. Mrs Cummings loves her garden but her children want to send her to the lunatic asylum to be rid of her.

An interesting read, although the stories don't develop much - it's more glimpses into lives.… (more)