Yesterday I spent a pleasurable day reading Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid. Wonderful quick read, only about 148 pages and beautifully written! This book was recommended to me by a friend who told me to start with Annie John but that she prefered other titles by Kincaid instead. I also have Lucy on the TBR shelf so it will most likely be one of my 50 books of 2012.
Annie John is a coming of age story which takes place in Antigua. Annie is young when the story begins and it continues on through her adolescence. Annie and her mother have a close loving relationship that slowly but surely develops into hate and despise. What I loved about this novel were all the little stories that are recounted by Annie that illustrate what life is like on an 
island at this time. Colonialism and strict education are the background of this story. You practically feel the breeze and sun on your face. I can’t say any more than that because I’ll give everything away.
Elaine Potter Richardson is the real name of Jamaica Kincaid. She was born in 1949 and grew up on the island of Antigua. In 1973, her family’s disapproval of her writing led to her name change. Kincaid writes on recurring themes in her books such as Caribbean tradition, mother-daughter relationships, shaping female identity in a male dominant society, and the lack of Antiguans to fully achieve independence because of colonialism to note a few. If you’re interested here is a list of some other interesting novels by Kincaid At the Bottom of the River, My Brother, The Autobiography of My Mother, A Small Place….
Every book that you have recommended I have thoroughly enjoyed. Now after just reading this note from you I am compelled to run out and buy this book. I’m sure I will devour it quickly. Thanks a Million.
Thanks for the support darling! What did you think of my last post? Did you click the link? If not do so and you’ll hear one of my concerts.
This will be my next read. I am happy for your recommendations! I will be checking a lot of them out 😀
Thanks so much for your support and happy reading….
Very well-written review. Makes me want to go out & buy the book!
Thank you for your dedication. It’s much needed in this world of audio.
Thanks! It was really a suggestion from a friend this book. Don’t know much about West Indian literature but I’m all eyes after reading this little gem. May attack another Jamaica Kincaid before the year is up. In the process of writing my next post and trying to choose another interesting novel from the shelves of plenty.
I will definitely give it another try, just forgot how it felt thé first time
I really enjoyed it! Thanks for checking out this post. Check out the others. Did a review on the Science of Black Hair. Subscribe and rate and thanks again!
very pleased to read this novel as a student
I was glad that a friend recommended it to me too. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂