Book Reviews
From Harvey River : Jamaican Book Review Lorna Goodison’s spellbinding memoir of her forebears, From Harvey River, combines family history with that of her beloved Jamaica. She describes how the Harveys settled the town named for them, how they met their respective spouses, and, in the case of her parents, how they adjusted to living in reduced circumstances in Kingston.
Free and Laughing: Spiritual insights in everyday moments : Jamaican Book Review Free and laughing presents a different way of looking at life – one that is detached, yet accepting and rooted in trust and love. When one lives life this way, one is free to laugh,love and trust. Life becomes a big playground, full of fun, joy and learning. Yes, you fall,there are scrapes, cuts and bruises, but when you are free and laughing, you picky ourself up and play again!
“Layers of Blackness”(Colourism in the African Diaspora) : Book Review Marcus Garvey’s observations in 1923 are an apt description of the topic of this book. But why write a book about colourism - a term that is rarely used in public spheres and a topic that is equally rarely discussed in private circles? As a journalist who writes predominantly about issues that impact the African Diaspora, I am acutely aware that a great deal of attention is devoted by community leaders to addressing issues of racism that disadvantage black communities and in fighting for social, economic and political equality that is routinely denied to people of colour.
Pirated : Jamaican Book Review This story is about an 11 year old boy who in hiding watched the brutal murder of his parents by prominent men of the town. Despite his testimony, these men were set free and he lost faith in the justice system. The 12 year old plotted, schemed and waited. If it is the last thing he did – he is going to avenge his parents’ death and everything they have pirated from him.
The First Black Britons : Review Making his first ever trip to the Caribbean, our presenter, British-born child of Jamaican parents, TV-Actor/Comedian, Gary Beadle, leads a journey to discover this amazing story: from the Haitian Revolution & Napoleonic Wars to Abolition of the slave trade; Emancipation and Apprenticeship System to the Morant Bay Rebellion and a struggle for equality; the grand Imperial age to the Ashanti Wars. He visits archives, museums and historical sites in Jamaica, Barbados, and the UK, revealing how Britain purchased thousands of slaves to defeat the French and their allies.
How to Raise Your Child Like A Jamaican : Jamaican Book Review How to Raise Your Child Like A Jamaican (Life lessons my parents taught me) is a funny island approach to childrearing. Through life lessons such as "I've Been Working Since My Eyes Were Down at My Knees" and "Fire De A Mus Mus Tail, Him Tink A Cool Breeze" Dahlia D. Welsh recounts the stories of how her parents
The Relocators : Jamaican Book Review The name of the book is "The Relocators". It tells the story of a company which is called "The Phoenix Contracting Company". This company employs people who have no relatives, or who has no one who really cares for them. They are sent on assignment from which they do not return. John Anderson, one of the main characters in this story, and who is also an employee of this company, realises what is happening, and with the help of two Jamaican cops, he brought an end to their scheme.
Hill-an’-Gully : Jamaican Book Review A funny and thought-provoking look at politics in a mythical Caribbean island, where bizarre events occur, love blooms and surprises abound.
She's Gone : Book Review She's Gone is the debut novel by Kwame Dawes the award-winning Ghanaian-born Jamaican poet. She's Gone explores the complex dynamics of two virtual strangers trying to negotiate the complicated terrain of cultural difference, class difference, and issues of gender.
Book Review - Let's Talk Africa and More Written by Jamaican, Joshua Spencer, Let’s Talk Africa and More is a compilation of original essays on Africa and other topics related to issues that pervade the lives of the ordinary peoples of our planet in Africa and other parts of the world, including North America and the Caribbean.
Book Review - Belladonna Belladonna is a story that spans several decades, following two of the wealthiest families on the island of Jamaica . The younger generation relays the tale of Melanie Henderson - rich with money and possessions but battling demons from her own family's past. It is a tale of incest, betrayal and murder, of the lingering effects of past abuses on future generations. Full of colorful and intriguing characters, you almost won't believe that it's based on true events.
Book Review - Legitimate Resistance This novel gives us a rare and exciting glimpse into the organized runnings of the underworld of the Jamaican Diaspora: the drug and gun trades, extortion rackets and their political connections. Susan Adjerlolo, a lovely girl from the country, goes to Kingston city to follow her dreams of becoming a singer.
Book Review - The Road To Damascus Road to Damascus is the story of Special Agent , Jamaican –born Bateman Carter Jr., who sets out to solve the riddle of his brother George’s murder in Jamaica.
Book Review - River Woman Set in an overlooked village in Jamaica, River Woman weaves an unforgettable tale of the consequences of abandoned promises - between a mother and a daughter and a government and its people.
Book Review - Twelve Poems and a Story for Christmas The poems describe the journey of a newlywed couple, Mary and Joseph, to their ancestral homeland where they are to be registered in a census decreed by a tyrant. Mary is pregnant and Joseph knows that the child she is carrying is not his.
Book Review - The Right To Be Proud: A brief guide to Jamaican Heritage Sites This little book published in 2005, is destined to be a run-a way best seller for it has potential in the local market as well as the overseas market.
Book Review - Dawn At Lover’s Leap Dawn at Lover’s Leap is regarded as the sequel to Horane Smith’s earlier novel, Lover’s Leap. The book is sub-titled, The Jamaican Legend Continues, and it picks up where the earlier novel ends with the two slave lovers leaping to their death from the Lover’s Leap cliffs.
Book Review - Yes, I Can 'Yes, I Can' is the children's book memoir of Three-time Olympian , Devon Harris, who is an original member of the Jamaican bobsled team.
Book Review - ‘Chocolate Flavored’, a Collection of Poems and Short Stories We’ve all been hurt before. We’ve all faced the challenge of healing. But men are often times viewed as ‘tough, without feelings, no emotions’. But men do hurt just as women do. Women are strong enough to become conquerors of their emotional battles. Children are people too and have a desire to be heard. ‘Chocolate Flavored’ is a collection of poems and short stories that uses words to express hidden thoughts .
“Scratch” Perry, Rita Marley, Aston “Family Man” Barrett, Chris Blackwell and others.
Book Review - The Fastest Ship Adventure awaits within "The Fastest Ship," where pirates get away with murder, for awhile, young women meet their very different fates, and more than one man's heart is torn asunder. Pirate stories offer a special romance, of the sea and of the mind. Larita Arnold's tale is an exciting escape into the past. See the book reviews of this book .
Book Review - Jamaican Words & Proverbs The LMH Official Dictionary of Jamaican Words & Proverbs explores colourful words and proverbs of Jamaican culture and everyday life. It also includes a taste of traditional proverbs and their meanings.
Book Review - Gifts from a Jamaican Kitchen The food of Jamaica is reflective of the diverse culture of the country. Because the island is a sort of historical crossroads, the influences have been many, not just in cooking styles, but in the food and spices themselves. In choosing recipes for this book, we tried to include not only traditional dishes, but also some variations.
