Customer Reviews

A brighter sun: A novel

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Set in Trinidad during the second world war, the books tells of a young man named Tiger who was thrust into adulthood at a very young age. Some of the more memorable characters are Sookdeo and Joe, who as male figures in Tiger's life, offer an ethnocentric view of the way things should be done, and what it means to be a man.

Selvon's book, viewed through the prism of the cultural and socio-economic times in Trinidad, is really a masterpiece and as the novel progresses, the inexperienced Tiger, from the cocoons of darkness, becomes fully aware of what it means to be a man, finding himself in a brighter sun.

I first read this book when I began teaching at a boy's school in Barbados 20 years ago, and I have ordered or taught excerpts of it to my classes in three other schools over the years. The book sets itself up for comparison between the two locations, London and Trinidad, and between the creole and the immigrant experiences. The stories range from the longer "Johnson and the Cascadura", which Selvon would expand into the later novel "Those Who Eat the Cascadura", to the stream-of-consciousness piece which ends the collection, "My Girl and the City", a style he would further explore in "The Lonely Londoners". Read separately or collectively, this is a delightful book of short stories that captures moments in time and for all time.

It is a pity that this book is no longer in print. I was first exposed to it when I taught it as part of the CXC curriculum in Barbados in the mid-80s. It is a delightful sequence of short stories arranged in two parts - Trinidad and London. Some stories are in dialect, others are in 'Queen's English' but for dialogue. The stories, though set in the 1950s, are universal in appeal, as witnessed by the fact that I have taught them to high school classes in British Columbia, New Brunswick, and now Ontario. The opening story, "Johnson and the Cascadura", and the final story, "My Girl and the City", are equal to any short story written anywhere by anyone. The latter story, being a stream-of-consciousness type, is far more accessible for high-school students than James Joyce! If you can get your hands on a copy of this short-story compilation, I don't think you will regret the effort or money expended!

It is a shame that this book is no longer in print. I first taught it in Barbados where it was part of the CXC curriculum, but I have been able to teach selected short stories from it to high school students in British Columbia, New Brunswick, and now Ontario. There are particular stories, such as the first - "Johnson and the Cascadura" and the last - "My Girl and the City" which stand against any short story, anywhere. The latter story is a stream-of-consciousness piece which is accessible for adolescent readers (far more than Joyce!). The collection is divided into two parts - Trinidad and London. If you can get a copy of this book, and are interested in the Caribbean experience, you will not be disappointed with your purchase.

I was really surprised when I read this book! If you have ever been to Trinidad, it is really interesting to relate what you have seen with this book. Samuel Selvon portrayed the life of a peasant and made an interesting, factual narrative. I enjoyed seeing how the Yankees came to the country and built the highway. I always wondered how it got the name "Churchhill-Roosevelt" and now I know. Great book, and I recommend to read this book if you have been to the Island.

war and rapid changes politically and economically.arranged marraige takes place between two young inexperienced teenagers.readjustment to a new life style brings into focus the struggle of becoming mature to survive.their marriage was consumated in the midst of high emotions and confusion.

I was introduced to this book through my high school literature class and thoroughly enjoyed. It's description of parts of early Trinidadian culture was my first glimpse into that world.
The story illustrates the social and cultural norms of the day and I read it with great curiousity.
Life has pushed Tiger and Urmilla into a new phase and we journey with them as they explore life and the small world in which they live.