In the Castle of My Skin (Ann Arbor Paperbacks) [Paperback]

George Lamming (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0472064681 | ISBN-13: 978-0472064687 | Publication Date: March 1, 1991 | Edition: New edition

An autobiographical novel of race and class by one of the leading Black writers of the 20th century

Editorial Reviews

Review

George Lamming's "In the Castle of My Skin" skilfully depicts the Barbadian psyche. Set against the backdrop of the 1930s riots which helped to pave the way for Independence and the modern Barbados, through the eyes of a young boy, Lamming portrays the social, racial, political and urban struggles with which Barbados continues to grapple even with some thirty-three years of Political Independence from Britain. Required reading for all Caribbean people. The novel also offers non-Barbadians and non-Caribbean people insight into the modern social history of Barbados and the Caribbean. A writer of the people one is back again in the pages of Huckleberry Finn_ the fundamental book of civilisation Mr Lamming captures the myth-making and myth-dissolving mind of childhood' NEW STATESMAN Its poetic imaginative writing has never been surpassed' TRIBUNE A striking piece of work, a rich and memorable feat of imaginative interpretation' THE SPECTATOR He produces anecdote after anecdote, rich and riotous.' THE TIMES There is not a stock figure in the story fluent, poetical, sophisticated.' THE SUNDAY TIMES --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

George Lamming was born June 8, 1927 in Carrington's Village, Barbados. He attended Combermere High School. He left Barbados for Trinidad in 1946 to become a teacher, four years later he was to migrate to England to become a writer. In the Castle of My Skin was completed within two years of his arrival in London. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press; New edition edition (March 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0472064681
• ISBN-13: 978-0472064687
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Growing aware of the Castle, February 20, 2000

By 

Daniela Kahn - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Castle of My Skin (Ann Arbor Paperbacks) (Paperback)

"In the Castle of my Skin" is a highly poetic account of growing up in the black community of Barbadoes. Lamming gives us a vivid picture of G's family, his friends, his school and village life. Interwoven with G's everyday experience is his awareness of what it means being black and being poor in a somehow secluded island community. Lamming's teatment of racism is sober and sensitive. It's the more effective because it shows how inseparable its perception is from the growing awareness a young black boy has of himself. There is much more violence in this as in many a bloody battle. In it's poetic language,the vividness of its characters and scenery,the deep psychological insight and the sober and just treatment of the growing awareness of differences in the context of Carribean history this novel is a masterpiece of universal literature.It certainly can be read as "the portrait of a young artist"; The reference of the main character's initial to Lamming's first name George seems pretty obvious. But if a portrait, its an excellent one!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Barbados came of age, November 30, 1999

By 

Donna M. Forde "dmforde" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Castle of My Skin (Ann Arbor Paperbacks) (Paperback)

George Lamming's "In the Castle of My Skin" skilfully depicts the Barbadian psyche. Set against the backdrop of the 1930s riots which helped to pave the way for Independence and the modern Barbados, through the eyes of a young boy, Lamming portrays the social, racial, political and urban struggles with which Barbados continues to grapple even with some thirty-three years of Political Independence from Britain. Required reading for all Caribbean people. The novel also offers non-Barbadians and non-Caribbean people insight into the modern social history of Barbados and the Caribbean.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "a must read", March 31, 2001

By 

Andrew Bartley (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Castle of My Skin (Ann Arbor Paperbacks) (Paperback)

The more I attempt to say about Mr Lamming's beautifully descriptive and uniquely refreshing style the more disservice I do to this marvelous work. If you have a Carribean, colonial or post colonial experience as I do, this novel is what they call "a must read". It evoked memories and thoughts in me long forgotten. You will find yourself laughing out aloud - which I did continuously on the E train to the point where I am sure my fellow riders thought me a lunatic. Above all this novel conveys a truth about the way we lived and live. It examines the march of time and the complexities and consequences of change and transition from the perspective of a Caribbean village. I am writing this as I search ... for more of Lamming's works.