The Pleasures of Exile (Ann Arbor Paperbacks) [Paperback]

George Lamming (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0472064665 | ISBN-13: 978-0472064663 | Publication Date: March 1, 1991

An examination of the effects of colonialism on those who are held in check

Editorial Reviews

Review

Migration in the '50s and '60s was formative for a whole generation of Caribbean writers, artists and intellectuals who, as Lamming himself says, became 'West Indian' in London. The Pleasures of Exile is simply the most poignant, eloquent, insightful and poetic set of reflections on that experience. -- Stuart Hall The passing of more than 40 years hasn't dulled the sheer brazen confidence with which George Lamming brought a West Indian way of seeing to British life and literature. -- Peter Hulme --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press (March 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0472064665
• ISBN-13: 978-0472064663
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #808,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still applicable to contemporary notions of immigration and exile, December 16, 2008

By 

F. Robles "franciscondine" (Missouri) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pleasures of Exile (Ann Arbor Paperbacks) (Paperback)

Although published in 1960, this collection of essays still carries vast currency. This is a fantastic example of "historical revisionism" in that Prospero and Caliban have their relationship subverted and reformulated. As a descendant of slaves and the product of Western culture (he convincingly makes the case that all of us are either the latter or both), George Lamming realizes that we can't reject our past, but only grow from realizing what it means to us. Out of this tradition we can forge towards a hopeful future, neither forgetting nor refusing to let go of history. We have a responsibility to act for a better future, and Lamming articulates this in myriad splendid ways, through what he says is "one man's experience."

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wouldn't have read it if it weren't required, January 25, 2008

By 

R. Mowry "Literary ADHD" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pleasures of Exile (Ann Arbor Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This book was interesting and well written, weaving the themes of slavery and oppression with the characters of a Shakespeare play. Although I admire the author's perseverence with the theme, I found it tiring and often hard to get into. I read it for a class and can't say I would've given it a second glance otherwise.