Out From Nassau [Paperback]

Fia B. Scheyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2000

Set in the Bahamas in the 1920s, Out From Nassau provides the reader with both the inside moments and the larger story - the details known only to those who were there at the time when Prohibition was the law in the US and much of its illegal booze was being smuggled in from the Bahamas. The story focuses on the lives of people living in Nassau and the Out Islands of the Exumas, particularly the McKenzie family. Fact and fiction are thus woven into an engaging, provocative novel. But there is more to this novel than meets the eye, as it clearly describes the lives of the Bahamian women who were, and remain, the caretakers and backbone of the culture.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Fia Scheyer is the author of numerous monographs, curricula, studies, poetry, short stories and books. This is her first full length novel. Her study of Bahamian Women, Mothers and Daughters, was one of the first studies focusing on the history and status of women in the Bahamas. She is a member of the Association of Caribbean Historians and, although an American, has studied the culture and people of the Bahamas for over twenty five years, having lived there and visited on numerous occassions. She remarked about her passion in writing this novel: There have been literally millions of visitors to the Bahamas who know little or nothing about the place and the people they are visiting. They are missing a lot! There is more to the Bahamas than water, beaches, warm weather, night life, gaming, and the straw market. There is a colorful history, wonderful art and drama, historical museums and society, great food, festivals and boat races in the Bahamian style, tradition filled communities and architecture, if one but seeks them out. I hope this novel brings the reader a better understanding of what this place, its history, and its people are about.

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: Trillium Books (March 6, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 0966032543
• ISBN-13: 978-0966032543
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,271,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > History > Americas > Caribbean & West Indies > Bahamas

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Out From Nassau", March 23, 2000

By 

Rufus Broadaway (Noth Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out From Nassau (Paperback)

I loved "Out From Nassau"! Fia Scheyer is a wonderful writer and did a marvelous job of creating and developing her characters. Having some knowledge of the Bahamas and its people I find the story of the out-islanders very authentic, as is the plot and the various relationships. I could hardly put it down! It is very readable. It is indeed a pleasure to find such a fine book.

Rufus Broadaway

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars compelling story, appalling grammar/punctuation, August 17, 2003

By 

Satureja douglasii "herbabuena" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Out From Nassau (Paperback)

The story and atmosphere of the book are compelling. The production values, however, are appalling and distracting. Was there no editor available who knows English? If they manage to do a second printing, for the sake of future readers, I hope they can afford to properly edit the text.

Even with the obvious mistakes, the story itself makes reading the book worthwhile.

4.0 out of 5 stars Out From Nassau, April 6, 2000

By 

warren salinger (Gold Canyon, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out From Nassau (Paperback)

Fia Scheyer's book, "Out From Nassau", really captures the feel, sounds and smells of the Bahamas. Written with unusual sensitivity for the indigenous population, the book drives home the importance of human relationships. Ms. Scheyer's knowledge of the local seas as well as the local people, comes through on literally every page. And her weaving of this tale makes it amply clear what human values should be as Hannah makes her tough life choices. Good book!