The Wine of Astonishment (Caribbean Writers Series) [Paperback]

Earl Lovelace (Author)

Book Description

Series: Caribbean Writers Series | Publication Date: December 17, 1986

A powerful and moving chronicle of the different ways in which members of a small Trinidadian community, Bonasse, hold on to their identity as they find themselves caught up in change and corruption. Bolo is a champion stick fighter, tall, good looking, and the fastest, strongest, and bravest of al the young men in Bonasse. When time and time again he sees his people humiliated by American troops, his instincts as a leader prevail. But the stand he makes takes on bizarre and tragic forms. Introduction by Marjorie Thorpe.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is an energetic, very unusual, above all, enlightening novel; the author's best yet.”–The Financial Times

About the Author

Earl Lovelace was born in Toco, Trinidad in 1935, and spent his childhood in Tobago and Port of Spain. His first job was as a proof reader with the Trinidad Publishing Company, and he later joined the Civil Service, serving first in the Forestry Department and then in the Department of Agriculture.His first novel, While Gods Are Falling, won him the BP Independence Literary Award which enabled him to study in the United States as visiting novelist at Howard University, Washington. It was followed by The Schoolmaster, a novel which drew on his experiences of rural Trinidad. The promise evident in these novels of the sixties was fulfilled in The Dragon Can't Dance, and The Wine of Astonishment which, West Africa magazine argued, 'put him in the front rank of Caribbean writers'. It was followed by a collection of plays, Festina's Calypso, which was published in 1984.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (December 17, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435988808
• ISBN-13: 978-0435988807
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #309,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic from Trinidad, December 3, 2006

By 

W. Wedenoja (Springfield, MO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wine of Astonishment (Caribbean Writers Series) (Paperback)

This fine book is essential reading for anyone interested in Trinidad or in religion, particularly indigenous religions, in the Caribbean. It is the story of a congregation of Shouters or Spiritual Baptists, an African Christian religion that was banned and persecuted by British colonial authorities, as they struggle with the conflict between worshipping as they believe they should and conforming to the heavy hand of the law. As such, it also has much to say concerning the cultural and psychological costs of colonization. It is a short, simple, engaging and profound novel, one of the best from the Caribbean. Highly recommended.

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovelace Does It Again!, October 16, 2011

By 

Rodney Taggart (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wine of Astonishment (Caribbean Writers Series) (Paperback)

The Wine of Astonishment is a magnificently crafted piece of literature. For anyone who has read "The Dragon Can't Dance" or any of Lovelace's other works are familiar with the colloquial style of his writing, which captures the Trinidadian vernacular at its finest. This story centers around a people facing religious persecution, and holding on to dearly to their cultural identity. Metaphorically, they're seeking someone to rise up & become the saviour of their village, in the mold of Christ. If you've read "The Dragon Can't Dance" or Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," you will see some parallels, but still be impressed. Overall, a very good read and one worth recommending.

3.0 out of 5 stars The Book, April 9, 2009

By 

Rosa I. Mondragon Valdez "lit studnt" (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wine of Astonishment (Caribbean Writers Series) (Paperback)

Is not what I expected, even though is not a bad book. I expected something a little more 'fast', but is a kind of slow story. However, like I said before is not a bad book only different to say so. It reminds me Acehebe's work (racism) and is not too long so people can read it in a day or two.