How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs

How to Love a Jamaican

Alexia Arthurs

Set in both the US and Jamaica this book was not what I expected. Full of modern story themes, Jamaican patois, likeable and colourful characters, the only predictable thing about this book is the familiar format of short stories which tease your taste buds so you're eager for more - well beyond the last page! This happened to me: I definitely wanted to know more about the characters and how their lives and circumstances carried on.

Extract
Some people would say that they sensed tragedy before Old Henry found the mermaids and the girls in his tank. Lazarus said his chickens wouldn't lay eggs. After the girls were found, he walked up and down June Plum Road telling any ear he came across that when a whole dozen chickens won't lay a single egg a sensible man should start to shiver. Mrs. Thomas, who everybody called Bad Mind Thomas behind her back, dropped the malice she held toward everyone in the district to say again and again, 'Oh, a dat mek di dog dem a bark so!'
Parallels
  • Myal by Erna Brodber
  • A Collection of Jamaican Short Stories : Real People, Real Happenings, Real Jamaica by Shawna Kay Williams-Pinnock