The Same Earth [Hardcover]

Kei Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2008

When Imelda Richardson leaves the small village of Watersgate, Jamaica, armed only with one small suitcase, she is doing so for the second time. One of the throng of young Jamaicans who left the island after the devastating hurricane of 1974, Imelda's journey has taken her to England, to the home of ganja-growing rebel Purletta Johnson, the arms of fake Northerner Ozzie, and a law degree. But when her mother dies Imelda returns to Watersgate, choosing Jamaica over England. 1983 is still a couple of years shy of the great dancehall explosion in which artists like Shabba Ranks would sing how he "loved punany bad," and the village is still dominated by the Evangelical church and the thundering voice of Pastor Braithwaite. When Tessa Walcott's panties are stolen—and in the absence of Perry Mason—she and Imelda decide to set up a Neighborhood Watch. But they haven't counted on Pastor Braithwaite and the crusading zeal of Evangelist Millie. As a Pentecostal fervor sweeps through the village, the tensions between old and new come to a head.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'charming vignettes of Caribbean village life are woven together into a lazily sinuous narrative' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'a lovingly drawn miniature of Jamaica's culture from the 1950s onwards... Miller's narrative and emotional range is exceptional' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY 'a stinging portrait of Jamaican religion and law... The Same Earth is marked out by an interesting, animating intelligence.' SUNDAY HERALD 'a humorous, bittersweet fiction, combines the fantastical realism of Marquez with the domestic comedy of Andrea Levy... Miller is a name to watch.' INDEPENDENT 'this punchy, enjoyable novel... [is] told with the rousing handclap of a spiritual and the crisp drum-beat of a folk song.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 'Miller writes with a gentle humour that justifies the comparisons to Alexander McCall Smith' CITY LIFE

About the Author

Kei Miller has published several collections of poetry and a book of short stories, The Fear of Stones, which was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writer's prize for Best First Book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Orion Publishing (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0297844792
• ISBN-13: 978-0297844792
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,294,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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