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This collection of short stories recalls an era when the village was the centre of life in the Caribbean island of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Nostalgic, but not sentimental, these stories are based on real events and relate the experiences of a range of characters striving to make a name for themselves; they are people in search of a larger stage.The title story, The Moon is Following Me, paints a picture of school life as it was in the seventies. It features a headmaster who is fond of rum and a teacher who works for half a day only, but it is essentially a story of young love and hope. Take for Two relates the story of Archie, who, on the night he is leaving on a contract to America, is asked by his sweetheart for a 'special dress' as a present. When he returns three months later with a wedding dress, he is met with disappointment.Spanish Ladies is based on the murder of a 17-year-old by a preacher. Even now, from this distance, it is painful to recall. The fourth story tells of an unlikely love, brought about by music, and the final story, Taste For Freedom, is an attempt to recreate the early years after the Emancipation.The stories are at times funny and unsettling but rarely sad. These are 'real' people, individual, ambitious, mad, vengeful, naïve: they are like villagers everywhere.… (más)
"Nostalgic but not sentimental", September 22, 2014
This review is from: The Moon is Following Me (Paperback) Six quite enjoyable short stories that capture the essence of St Vincent. Schooldays...a tentative courtship...forming a band. I liked 'Taste for Freedom', where the narrator goes off to seek his fortune once emancipation comes, leaving behind the plantation where workers are paid in commodities: "Damn codfish, blasted brown sugar that rot your teeth, evil white rum that scald your insides like black coffee straight off the coal pot: if you live on Prescott Estate that is the reward for your labour." Also 'Action Action', where Mrs Goodridge is all a-jitter (not in a good way) at the news that her husband, working for the last twelve years on a London Railway, is coming home... And the very sad 'Spanish Ladies'. I can't say these are massively memorable, but they are well-written and a pleasant read. ( )
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
For my wife and daughters for their support and encouragement For my niece, Laurie O'Garro, my 'Editor', for her dedication and integrity For Fran Herbert, for careful reading and valuable suggestions
Primeras palabras
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
Sans Souci School was without doubt the dullest in the parish of Charlotte; nothing ever happened there.
Citas
Últimas palabras
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
Soon we will have some land and a house like this.
This collection of short stories recalls an era when the village was the centre of life in the Caribbean island of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Nostalgic, but not sentimental, these stories are based on real events and relate the experiences of a range of characters striving to make a name for themselves; they are people in search of a larger stage.The title story, The Moon is Following Me, paints a picture of school life as it was in the seventies. It features a headmaster who is fond of rum and a teacher who works for half a day only, but it is essentially a story of young love and hope. Take for Two relates the story of Archie, who, on the night he is leaving on a contract to America, is asked by his sweetheart for a 'special dress' as a present. When he returns three months later with a wedding dress, he is met with disappointment.Spanish Ladies is based on the murder of a 17-year-old by a preacher. Even now, from this distance, it is painful to recall. The fourth story tells of an unlikely love, brought about by music, and the final story, Taste For Freedom, is an attempt to recreate the early years after the Emancipation.The stories are at times funny and unsettling but rarely sad. These are 'real' people, individual, ambitious, mad, vengeful, naïve: they are like villagers everywhere.
This review is from: The Moon is Following Me (Paperback)
Six quite enjoyable short stories that capture the essence of St Vincent. Schooldays...a tentative courtship...forming a band.
I liked 'Taste for Freedom', where the narrator goes off to seek his fortune once emancipation comes, leaving behind the plantation where workers are paid in commodities:
"Damn codfish, blasted brown sugar that rot your teeth, evil white rum that scald your insides like black coffee straight off the coal pot: if you live on Prescott Estate that is the reward for your labour."
Also 'Action Action', where Mrs Goodridge is all a-jitter (not in a good way) at the news that her husband, working for the last twelve years on a London Railway, is coming home...
And the very sad 'Spanish Ladies'.
I can't say these are massively memorable, but they are well-written and a pleasant read. ( )