Ways of sunlight [Unknown Binding]

Samuel Selvon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0894101099 | ISBN-13: 978-0894101090 | Publication Date: 1979

The master-storyteller turns his pen to rural village life with Ways of Sunlight in Trinidad: gossip and rivalry between village washerwomen; toiling cane-cutters reaping their harvest; superstitious old Ma Procop protecting the fruit of her Mango tree with magic. With equal wit and sensitivity, he reflects the depression of hard times in London, where people live in cold, damp basements, hustling for survival.

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

' A delightful book, a pleasure to read and reflect over afterwards...for humour, sprightliness and downright exuberance at being alive, Mr Selvon's people are positively Neapolitan.' SUNDAY TIMES 'Mr Selvon writes naturally in dialogue, he never lets the pace sag.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Samuel Selvon (the unusual Indian surname appears to be Tamil) was born on 20 May 1923, into a middle-class Presbyterian family in San Fernando, the southern city of Trinidad. His half-Scottish, half-Indian mother looked after the home, while his Madrasee father tended his dry-goods store in San Fernando. His mother, who spoke Hindi and English fluently, encouraged her children to be similarly bilingual, but Sam confesses that he eventually managed only a few words and common phrases. Young Sam attended two Canadian Mission primary schools. One in San Fernando, and the other nearby. He remembers fondly that at the latter, Grant C M School, he received warm encouragement in English Composition from a particular teacher. Sam moved on to Naparima College in San Fernando, another Canadian Mission institute, and during an undistinguished academic career, developed an abiding love for his two favourite subjects, English Language and English Literature. It was at Naparima College that he became a voracious reader. In 1944, Selvon won a short story contest with a piece submitted to The Naval Bulletin, a publication of RNVR. He wrote both prose and poetry, often discarding what he wrote. One poem, however, was kept, and was later broadcast on the BBC radio programme 'Caribbean Voices' while Selvon was still in Trinidad. From RNVR, at the end of World War II, Selvon became a wireless operator with the Port of Spain Gazette, and shortly after, moved to the rival Trinidad Guardian. He spent three years with the newspaper, and left as sub-editor of special features. Feeling that Trinidad was stifling his growing interest in creative writing, Selvon left for England in March, 1950, aboard the same ship as George Lamming, whom he had met before but did not know well. In London, Selvon, unable to secure a position in journalism, freelanced, publishing articles on various subjects. He later became a clerk in the Indian Government Civil Service Department in London. Needing a change, after twenty-eight years, Selvon left England in 1978 for Canada, where he resides. At present, he is writer-in-residence at the University of Calgary, teaching and working on a new novel, which seeks to explore the rich intricacies of the Trinidadian psyche. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Unknown Binding: 188 pages
• Publisher: Longman Drumbeat (1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894101099
• ISBN-13: 978-0894101090
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,452,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book, February 16, 2003

By 

Mango Juice "Mango Juice" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brighter Sun (Longman Caribbean Writer Series) (Paperback)

This book is absolutely brilliant. It captures the true multi ethnic fabric of Trinidadian society through the trials of an Indian boy struggling to make it in early 20th century Trinidad. This book brings to light many ethnic and cultural issues that are a now inherent part of Trinidadian life, and is not only a brilliant piece of literature that should be cherished, but a piece of Caribbean history.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first novel of remarkable quality, March 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Brighter Sun (Longman Caribbean Writer Series) (Paperback)

A touching portrait of a community surrounded by dramatic events, and two young people forced into marriage trying to find the ways of adulthood. A well thought out book, with gentle humor and deep tales of anguish.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent read, January 8, 2009

By 

T. Thomas - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brighter Sun (Longman Caribbean Writer Series) (Paperback)

I bought this book because I never had a chance to read when I was in school in Trinidad. I must say, for a first novel, the writer did an amazing job of painting pictures with words. Because it was written in a time before me, I learned something about the history of the island and also about the East Indian culture. A great read. I was so pleased that I bought two more books by the author.