Greetings From Jamaica, Wish You Were Queer [Paperback]

Mari SanGiovanni (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Greetings from Jamaica was a runnerup for the first annual Bywater Prize for Fiction.

About the Author

Mari SanGiovanni comes from a large Italian family. She lives in Rhode Island and was a finalist in the first annual Bywater Prize for Fiction contest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Bywater Books; 1st Bywater Books Ed edition (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932859306
• ISBN-13: 978-1932859300
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Marie got her groove back, October 22, 2007

By 

Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Greetings From Jamaica, Wish You Were Queer (Paperback)

Escaping to Jamaica has always been considered romantic, but readers of this hilarious book will find that vacationing in paradise can also be stressful, embarrassing, passionate and downright laugh out loud funny.

Marie Santora comes from an Italian family, or rather, is saddled with the standard Italian family that has been the target of comedians everywhere. Family feuds, ritual harassment of siblings and steaming hot meatballs are all a part of daily life, but when her grandmother passes to the next world, the contents of her last will and testament tip the family balance way over the edge.

Now financially independent for the first time in her life, Marie decides to make every moment count, dumping her unfaithful lover Jessica, buying a house in LA, and deciding to become a successful writer of screenplays. Not one to suffer mediocrity, Marie spends ages agonizing over the perfect actress for her perfect screenplay, finally deciding on actress Lorn Elaine. Somewhere along the way however, the writer turns stalker, and Marie is almost relieved to be setting off on an all expenses paid vacation to Jamaica with the family.

I said "almost"

The best part of the book follows, with the Italian contingent set loose in the land of the Reggae Boyz, complete with sun, sand, surf, trays of brightly colored alcoholic beverages, and of course hot meatballs.

While on the island, love is found in unexpected places, love is made in expected places, love is lost and found, lost lovers lurk, lurkers love lovers, and the reader will love every minute of it. One of the funniest reads in a long time. Irie mon!!



Amanda Richards, October 22, 2007

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy!, April 27, 2007

By 

bindu (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greetings From Jamaica, Wish You Were Queer (Paperback)

Mari SanGiovanni captures the essence of the American-born-yet-deeply-rooted-in-Italy-and-won't-let-go characters with pizzaz. And that's just what they are, characters. Silly, playful, deeply emotional, crazy Italians. The storyline brings forth an insight into the world of a dare-I-say lesbian relationship. Ms. SanGiovanni shows tenderness and compassion in between layers of comic genius. There are few writers who can accomplish the task of supplying their reading audience with intense humor, and at the same moment of time throw sweet emotion in to the mix. This book allowed me to see another side of a world that I am not familiar with (although now I think with Mari's step-by-step instructions I am very knowledgeable and could handle a conversation about lesbian-lovemaking with the best of them) and she made it easy to enjoy the laugh-out-loud comedy of the Italian family ways, which I do know oh so well. If you don't have this book packed in your carry-on bag for your next trip to the Carribean, or stowed away in your beach bag for some summer reading, then you are missing out on a hell of a good ride. Rating: Two thumbs up and a meatball on the side.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big, big fun, August 21, 2008

By 

Carol G. Stock "CGS" (Boulder, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Greetings From Jamaica, Wish You Were Queer (Paperback)

I rarely get to read fun stuff but I'm so grateful this book was recommended to me and I had the good sense to read it.

I not only laughed right out loud FREQUENTLY, I was also reduced to tears which in general, isn't much fun. This time though, I didn't mind.

If you don't THOROUGHLY enjoy this book, let me personally refund your money so you can get some well-need therapy.

This is big, big fun so do yourself a favor and lighten up! And the best part? My straight friends are enjoying it too!

Thanks Mari for this great time. Wish you were here.