The Same Earth [Large Print] [Paperback]

Kei Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2009

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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: ISIS Large Print Books; Large type edition edition (August 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0753181754
• ISBN-13: 978-0753181751
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars In the genre of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency..., July 1, 2008

By 

Linda (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Same Earth (Paperback)

Kei Miller was born in Jamaica and now spends much of his time in the UK, teaching Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow. It was interesting to learn that he is based in Scotland for I had a sense of Scotsman Alexander McCall Smith (The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency) as I was reading this wonderful story of Imelda (Jamaican) starting her new life in England. Although McCall Smith's heroine, Precious Ramotswe, doesn't leave Botswana, the same easy-going style of writing, which captures the completely different way of life in a hot climate, is shared by both authors. Almost quaint at times, it still manages to demonstrate clearly the undercurrent of those who have, and those who have not.

Like many Jamaicans in the 70s seeking an apparently better way of life, Imelda is persuaded by her father, against her wishes, to leave her warm, easy-going country for cold, unresponsive England in the hope of earning money and doing better. She finds herself completely alone in London and lost in this hugely different and uncaring culture. Luckily, she is taken under the wing of an older woman, Purletta Johnson, who is clearly one of life's survivors, but Imelda never loses her innocence, and her trusting nature soon leads her into the arms of Ozzie, a man with a never-ending, high-flalutin' vocabulary designed to impress.

With the death of her mother, Imelda returns to Jamaica. She expects to find it just the same, and it is. Instead, it is she who has changed. Somehow knowledge of difference has managed to seep into Imelda's consciousness and her old friends and neighbours sense this as well. Most of all, the wildly Pentecostal preacher whose intimate knowledge of God Knows Best, senses that he's about to be exposed and he rallies God's People to oust Imelda.

The story may sound familiar, but the style of writing is wonderfully different and leads the reader directly to the heart of Jamaica.