Customer Reviews

Cambridge

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The narrative of Emily Cartwright is marvelous. I found myself easily believing I was reading an account written by a young woman in the 18th century, with matter of fact observations on race and men consistent with that time. The language is a delight to read, but as I was pleasantly carried along I began to wonder where the story was going. When a character using the occult entered the story, I had hope of the plot thickening but, alas, it didn't. Part II, which seemed very contrived and rushed, was disappointing.

I enjoyed Cambridge. The story is told from multiple perspectives which would explain the open ending. Who's version is the truth? How are their interpretations of events determined by their different cultural backgrounds? How do these multiple versions of a history comment upon the historical representation of actual Caribbean and African colonization? The characters are complex and contradictory - likeable and detestable all at once. One gets a glimpse into colonial life, attitudes and beliefs - not just one sided but as they probably were, complex, multiple, and contradictory. Caryl Phillips has done his research, the prose is authentic for the time, his work is based upon historical evidence (there is a recent dissertation that describes his historical influences). A good and well worth read.

This is a powerful and disturbing historical novel about the days of slavery in the west indies, not long before slavery was finally abolished. The prose is beautifully crafted and takes you right into the period. The book is easy to read, but for most readers it will not be a particularly satisfying or enjoyable book (as you can see from other reviews) because no main character is particularly sympathetic or easy to identify with. Rather this book gives you a look at a period of history where no one comes out particularly well. However, it evokes the period and attitudes sharply, and is a clear reminder that while we have a ways to go in race relations, we have made some substantial progress.

Flat characterizations and no emotional development mark this text by Phillips. The author seems so insistent on presenting his theme that he neglects the true art of storytelling.

I felt that this book was unrealistic. What I feel Phillips tried to do was put modern-day morals in an old-fashioned tale. It was deffinetly as if he tried to make a story about what went on during a time of uncertainty about the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of slaves. It was almost as if Phillips tried to add a "Scarlet Letter" appeal to the book, In the beginning the novel was well written and understandable and I thought would lead to a good novel, however around 100 it got unreadable. you could not understand what Phillips was doing with the novel. This book was unrealistic and that is my main problem with it. how it is such an unbelievable plot it is ridiculous to read.

Caryl Phillips gives new meaning to the term "literary fiction". His prose rings and resonates, his themes are timeless, and his vision is limitless.

the following is a comment on Cambridge that is displayed on the first page. "Brilliant...(a) masterpiece (by) a profoundly talented novelist" - Village Voice I would beg to differ. I cannot even think of a place to begin describing my intense, deep hatred toward the book Cambridge by Caryl Phillips. I think that it might have been more fun, and less painful to gnaw my arm off and beat myself with it. I found the story's characters confusing. I didn't even know the main character's name until the Epilogue (page 177). The title character, Cambridge, didn't seem important enough to name the book after, and I didn't understand his personality. Nor could I interpret what Stella's (another key character) intents were. I also thought that plot was filled with gaps, and was never concluded. I finished the book with many unresolved ends. The book reads as poetry. For example: "I stepped out into the night to breathe the delicious mildness of the air, and to refresh my spirit (46)." I found this not only difficult to read and distracting to the plot, or lack there of. More importantly than that, I don't think that anyone speaks like that, not even in the books intended time period. This made the book unbelievable to me. Because I could not read more than 20 pages at a time without falling asleep, I couldn't get into the book. When Phillips used African American speech habits they too were not believable. for example: "Misses, misses, you please to bye me a comb for me to tick in my head (Phillips 124)," When Phillips made a character talk, I thought it was awkward, and it broke the mood of the paragraph.

I would Strongly suggest finding another book.

Their Eyes Were Watchin God, by Zora Neale Hurston is a book that I would suggest for a better read on a similar topic.