An island paradise February 5, 2005 13 out of 15 found this review helpful
Antigua, an awe-inspiring vacation spot for Europeans and North Americans, takes on a different aura when discussed by native Jamaica Kincaid. Ms. Kincaid describes how the Antiguans feel about the tourists who visit: ugly people. Ugly because they invaded, then brought slaves to work for them so they could become rich while ignoring the needs of those who made them wealthy. Ugly because of what they've done to the island and the people who live there. Jamaica talks about the corrupt government and the hand that North Americans, British, Syrians and Lebanese play in that corruption. She describes how England paved the roads the Queen of England would travel when she visited, but left everything else in poor condition. Ms. Kincaid also mentions the drug dealers that the government ignores and those who build ugly condos for the wealthy and rent business space to the government who should be building their own space.
In a very few pages, Jamaica Kincaid says what a lot of former slaves would like to say but are perhaps too politically correct to utter. She does the job for us. Ms. Kincaid does not mince her words when it comes to what the British Empire did to the people of Antigua and the world for that matter. Frequently, I found myself wanting to stand up and cheer as I read her words of disgust and anger. While Ms. Kincaid is specifically speaking of Antigua, her words describe the slave trade and the destruction and poverty left in the wake of it no matter what country. It is well worth reading - more than once.
Reviewed by alice Holman of The RAWSISTAZ? Reviewers
It is a Small place September 20, 2004 7 out of 10 found this review helpful
In "A Small Place", Kincaid leads the western reader through Antigua, while invoking feelings of guilt. Kincaid draws the reader in by narrating through the reader's perspective. She does this to engulf the reader into the setting and workings of Antigua and its government, including it's abused cultural history. This is the style of narration that Kincaid uses in the first thirty-seven pages of the book, and is very effective in captivating the reader. I felt guilt and ignorance while reading through Kincaid's description of Antigua and the abuse it is subject to by a regressive white moderate. She passionately unveils the crimes and injustices that her people have suffered from. The read is passionate and truthful while forcefully shedding the ignorant presumptions of the reader about what a western reader would consider a "resort area." She skillfully illustrates how foreign landowners rob the economy and further suppress the Antiguan population. She combines the individual reader into a collaboration of his/her personal/cultural histories to make that individual feel responsible for his/her cultures actions. So not only do you read the book as yourself, but you read the essay as western cultures history. She doesn't stop there, but uncovers the evils committed by her own western placed government and calls into question the morality that the whole island revolves on. This is the reason the book has been banned in Antigua. Not only would the book have inflicted damage on commerce and tourism, but also it would have uncovered the committed evils of the persons in power there. I thought the book was far from enjoyable, but an essential read that helped erase certain ignorance held by the western population. I would suggest the book to scholars and activists or anyone interested in the repercussions of cultural memory. All in all I enjoyed the read but wished that Kincaid had followed through with the "reader narrator" format, which she uses to pull the reader in but abandons after the thirty-seventh page.
Spell-binding June 13, 2004 1 out of 6 found this review helpful
Exceptional, breathtaking. I have never in my entire life witnessed a god-given writing talent like this.
Til You Have lived it , judge not, what you do not know June 12, 2004 6 out of 12 found this review helpful
I have read the reviews and I must say that I think that are those who either speak with a guilty conscience, are in denial or just plain ignorant to the realities of life in the carribean. Although Kincaids book is based on the struggles of antigua it would be ideal tolook at Haiti and Jamaica and thier strugles. Jamaica is at war right now and struggling under a 12 Billion debt to the IMF. Farmers cannot Farm Their land and sell in their own market ...produce is imported from Miami. Milk Powder, rather than real milk produced in Jamaica is also imported as is everything else...restructuring policies placed by the IMF that make this so. Unemployement isn't an issue its a way of life. Kids not being able to go past basic school....due to lack of money. What dreams can a woman have? The realities is that if she does not higgle by the side of the road, work as a domestic in the hotels or as a seamstress in the sweat shops then WHAT SHALL BECOME OF HER? mabey if she looks good she can walk the beaches of negril and montego bay offering her body to the swarm of American,German, etc... tourists that are there to have a good time.... who could blame them? I'm sorry if I come off angry but it really irks me that even those who reviewed the book and are from the carribean would try to make it seem as though the carribean isn't suffering under the effects of globalization....why then are you living in America, Engalnd and Canada? why did your parents seek out other countries and then work for years to bring every family member to theses countries of freedom and oppourtunity...Lets get real....want a wake up call? visit the carribean...really visit it do not stop in the tourist area rather go into the heart where the locals live...do you want to see the effects of slavery do you want to realise that it was not so long ago? go to jamaica go to haiti .... see the plantations see the people.... Jamaica Kincaid speaks the truth...is it spoken with hatred?
the oppressed will always hate their oppressors. A Documentry was made based on this book I suggest that if you are really interested in vewing the carribean through the eyes of those who really live there rather then through the eyes of the travel travel network. It is called LIFE & DEBT, A film by STEPHANIE BLACK by NEW YORKER FILMS.You can purchase it or get more info on it through these two websites www.NewYorkerFilms.com and www.lifeanddebt.com
Be Part of the Solution September 24, 2003 7 out of 31 found this review helpful
This book is full of hate and racism on Kincaid's part. Would she have no tourists? What brings in the money? She should be a part of the solution not continue the problem.
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