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The Girl with the Hazel Eyes: Second Edition by [Callie Browning]

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Callie Browning

The Girl with the Hazel Eyes: Second Edition Kindle Edition

by Callie Browning (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Oprah Magazine calls it one of 16 Books by Caribbean Authors to add to your Reading List.

Yahoo! and In The Know named it as one of 10 Must-Read books by Caribbean Authors.

JAAWP Finalist.

Silver Medallist.

“A perfect read. ‘The Girl with the Hazel Eyes’ is well-written and compelling. I give this novel 5/5 stars.” - Bekah’s Bookshelves.

Politics, poverty and puberty combine in this beautifully written coming-of-age tale that examines the bonds of womanhood, feminism and pre-independence life on a small island. Almost fifty years after Susan Taylor was exiled from Barbados for her famous whistle-blowing novel, ‘The Unspeakable Truth’, she contacts a young writer to pen her biography. Susan is crotchety and unpleasant but Lia Davis is broke so she has no choice but to stay and write Susan's biography. As Lia starts to unravel the reclusive author's life, she realizes that some things just don't add up. Susan has been hiding a massive secret for decades and Lia is determined to find out what it is. The Girl with the Hazel Eyes is an endearing historical fiction that tugs at your heart with its examination of love, lies, and loyalty.

EXCERPT. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Kenneth’s eyes lit up mischievously as he contemplated me quietly for a moment. “Be honest: if someone had a gun to your head and threatened to shoot if you didn’t eat one, would you choose the fried biscuits or the fish dumplings?” “I’d eat the bullet.” Our eyes met as we tried to stifle our laughter but it didn’t work. Kenneth and I broke into a fit of giggles. He smiled broadly, staring at me for a while. It made me a little nervous to have him watching me like that. I turned away and looked towards the horizon.

The sun was setting just over the vast cane fields in the distance. It was late October and by then the land was stripped bare of canes and stretched as far as the eye could see. It was amazing to see it from that height and take in the majesty of the sunset from such a miraculous vantage point. “Did you ever notice how the sunlight changes from white during the daytime to that pretty gold when it sets? The way it paints everything in the world in a colour that isn’t orange or yellow or pink but a soft blend of all three?” Kenneth raised one eyebrow at me thoughtfully, both surprised and confused by what I was saying. He turned to the cane fields and a look of awe and comprehension dawned on his face before he smiled broadly. “Yeah. I don’t think I ever noticed that before, you know. Did you read that in one of those old books I always see you with?”
I laughed. “No, I noticed it right before I climbed the tree.”
“Hmm…”
“What?”
“Are you sure you didn’t read that in a book?” he asked me again.
I glared at him. “I told you I didn’t.”
Satisfied, he nodded sagely and then surprised me by saying, “You should write down the things you say. You describe something really hard in just a few words. It would have taken me about ten hours to explain that sun thing.” I felt quite pleased with myself at this nice compliment from a boy. A blush crept up my cheeks and he didn’t even try to make me feel embarrassed about it. He just took two more broken crackers from his pocket and handed me one. We sat there as quiet as anything while the light waned and the crickets turned up the volume on their chirping but little did Kenneth realized that he had watered the seed that my mother had planted in my mind. Writing was my gift and when someone is truly talented, their gift comes so effortlessly that it’s easy to take it for granted. Even now, decades later, I still can’t believe that Kenneth honed in on that aspect of my personality so easily. At that moment something clicked between us. Just like the knack that Kenneth saw I had for writing, our friendship came to us effortlessly.

Print length

253 pages
Language

English
Sticky notes

On Kindle Scribe
Publication date

June 6, 2019
File size

1413 KB
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Callie Browning
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Callie Browning's use of imagery paints a vivid vision of the sights: sunrises, sunsets, the tiny village, the cane fields, the scents of the vines and the bushes, the sweet scent of the rain and the blooms and foliage, the stench of rot and decay. Browning is especially talented when writing of the sounds of the islands, the birds, the music and the wind whispering through the cane. We taste the food Susan tasted, feel her terror as the island is hit by a hurricane, her fear as she is nearly assaulted and her grief at the loss of someone dear. I was drawn into the story of a compelling woman and of a world about which I knew absolutely nothing." - Readers' Favorite

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07SSDQ7FH
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Callie Browning; 2nd edition (June 6, 2019)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 6, 2019
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1413 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 253 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #132,920 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #72 in Historical African Fiction
- #112 in Black & African American Literary Fiction
- #800 in U.S. Historical Fiction

Customer Reviews:
397 ratings

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Callie Browning

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Callie Browning is an award-winning Barbadian author who loves great food and thrilling stories. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to get the latest on new books, her travel adventures and cooking mishaps.

Note from the author:

Thank you so much for considering my book. 'The Girl with the Hazel Eyes' will take you on an incredible coming-of-age tale that many of my readers actually thought was real! Experience the highs and lows of the life of Susan Taylor, a reclusive author who flees her island home after writing a tell-all novel that shakes apart the social and political fabric of the Caribbean. You'll feel her love, loss and ultimately ask yourself what you would have done if you were in Susan's shoes.

I hope you enjoy it.

X,

Callie

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

397 global ratings

5 star		55%
4 star		29%
3 star		13%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Nadine Finigan-Carr

Such a poignant ad touching story.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 18, 2023

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What a poignant and touching story! I felt myself drawn in by the description of life in the Caribbean, Barbados, during the 50s and its similarities to life today. Very well written

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Allison

3.5 - 4 out of 5 for this debut

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 8, 2019

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Let me get this off my chest real quick, EFF WINSLOW!!! All waste man from now on name Winslow, all ah dem. Okay, back to regularly scheduled programming.

This book was a nice, summer read which I've been itching for. It wasn't too heavy or convoluted.

What I liked - This book really gave me some insight into Barbados's independence movement. I admit I don't know much about Barbados's history, I jut thought they got independence in 1962 like we did in Jamaica. Apparently not. The book felt like an immersive history lesson and I love when a book can educate me. Callie takes us right in it from the creation of the political parties, to the rallies, to the legislation to the actual independence day celebrations. The historical aspects were very well written.

We didn't only get politics but I think the writer did a great job describing life in Barbados at that time and it was nice to see the similarities between there and Jamaica. She touched on poverty, race, social class & colourism, women's place in society all through her characters. There were times when I just wanted to give some of the characters a hug and say it's going to be okay (again, not Winslow). Honestly, the attitudes that existed (and still do) towards women and girls getting an education. Jeezum. It was so frustrating. I did like how Susan's mother kind of served an example of the lengths women will go to for their children and to have autonomy of their own bodies. Even though she did cower to her husband for the most part, it was nice to see that resilience in her.

I liked how the author went back and forth from the past to the present, recounting to live discussion, that way we really got to know Susan Taylor (or so we thought), I think she handled that style of writing well without giving too much away in the earlier chapters and making the story predictable. It does become predictable in a way towards the end but not in a bad way.

Critiques - I wanted more from Lia's character. I feel like I could have learned more about her, she didn't get as much focus and depth as I wanted.

The ending for me while satisfying felt kind of rushed, too much happened in the last bit of the book that I felt could have been spread out more evenly. There was also a continuity issue or two that I think maybe the editor didn't pick up on.

Overall I liked it and I was happy to read some C'bean lit. and support a C'bean author.

16 people found this helpful

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Nicole

Remarkable writing

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 22, 2021

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The story revolves around Susan Taylor who is a well-known famous author whose novel, "The Unspeakable Truth" catapulted her to renowned fame but exiled from Barbados reaches out 50 years after the book was released to a up and coming writer, Lia to write her memoir.

What interested me the most about this book was definitely Susan and what exactly happened for her to get exiled leaving behind her family and friends. The story is presented with dual timelines from the past, detailing events from Susan's childhood and her later teen years when Barbados was going through political changes. The present details Lia's journey with meeting Susan and her subsequent interviews with her to compile notes for the memoir.

So much transpires in this one from discussing racism, poverty, colonialism, mental health, patriarchy, scandals, betrayal, love and friendship. Browning's writing is very fluid and beautiful. I loved the way she was able to describe Barbados in the 1950s and 60s and the poetic way she wrote in how Susan's love for writing was.

I highly recommend this one and am looking forward to reading more from this author.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Well written historical fiction

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 13, 2020

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4.5 stars

The Girl With The Hazel Eyes is told in a dual storyline with Lia’s POV in 2015 and Susan’s in 1966-67. Susan is Barbados’ most famous writer, unfortunately her book wasn’t well received on the island and she’s lived in exile in the States for many years. Newly single, a Lia wants to be a writer and against her mother’s wishes, she jumps at the chance to interview Susan and write a biography about her experiences.

What I liked: I felt like everyday life in 1960s Barbados was captured - I actually thought this was based on real events until I talked to Callie - it feels that real. Her characters don’t always make good choices but I found myself rooting for them and liking them. As in life, the characters make decisions that affect the rest of their lives - some they may end up regretting.

Susan’s story reads like diary entries, while Lia’s portions mimic the reader trying to figure out what is going on. Spoiler: Susan has some secrets.

What didn’t work for me: Full disclosure: Callie told me to be honest here. I wish there was more dialogue, especially with Susan. She’s so complex, I wanted to see her interact more.

I will warn you the ending is a bit open-ended (my favorite) but if you’re looking for full closure there is no neat epilogue.

Who should read it: Chanel Cleeton fans that enjoy the island vibes and history of her stories (there’s not a lot of romance in Hazel Eyes). I think fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will like this book - both Susan and Evelyn are complex not always likable characters.

2 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

The scandal of it all, too real but alas its phenomenal fiction at its best

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 4, 2022

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I could not put this book down. The literary genius of Callie! The words made me transport into each scene, like I was watching it on film. I became apart of the book and felt my emotions twist and turn with each page. I wanted to research more about Barbados and almost thought it this was true but I'm glad it was fiction.The accolades for Callie are well deserved!

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Charlotte Barney

The Perfect Escape

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 20, 2019

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Back in June, during #ReadCaribbean event on Instagram, I saw this gorgeous book start popping up on my feed and immediately put it on my TBR. The Girl With Hazel Eyes by Callie Browning was originally released on Kindle (I am a bad at reading things on a screen), but I heard the paperback would be coming so held out for it. I was not disappointed!
I absolutely fell in love with the story of Lia, leaving her home in Barbados, to go to the US and write the biography of the reclusive whistleblower, Susan. Fifty years before, Susan wrote a book which uncovered 'The Unspeakable Truth' in the lead up to Barbados' independence. Susan's life pulls you in from the start and is utterly fascinating. She is such a strong and beautifully written character. Susan's family and Kenneth are also such special pieces to the story.
The chapters alternate between Susan's past and the present day which focuses more on Lia. Lia had never left Barbados before, but the chance of a lifetime coupled with the end of her relationship gives her the perfect motivation. I loved the back and forth between Susan and Lia and often found myself reading with a smile on my face. Watching their friendship grow was such a treat. Ancil was a great supporting character as well. This story seems quite straightforward when you begin but there is so much more than meets the eye. Definitely a book I will revisit again and again to be with all these people I now cherish.

One person found this helpful

Kereen

An Atmospheric Visit to Old Barbados

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 7, 2020

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The Girl With The Hazel Eyes tells the story of Susan a whistle blower from Barbados, told through Lia, a young writer who has been summoned to tell Susan's story.
Callie Browning takes us back and forth between present and past and her descriptions are atmospheric. Her characters are vivid and you feel like a fly on the wall, watching, listening to these people's lives, sometimes guiltily in their private moments. The story follows Susan's past life and what led up to her needing Lia to tell her story. Beautifully written.

One person found this helpful

World of Sandra

The Girl with the hazel eyes

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 8, 2021

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I enjoyed this book full of intrigue and and unpredictable plot line. Callie Browning has cleverly drafted a book providing a fictional background to Barbadian independence and its affects on those closest to it and the barbarian people.

Book Lover

Love this Carribbean indie author

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 11, 2020

Verified Purchase

I liked the the way this explored more than the characters. I found it easy to identify with the description of the island having originated from the carribbean. Interesting and intriguing.

Joanne Wilkinson

An insight of Barbados with plenty of emotion and twist

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 13, 2020

Verified Purchase

I have enjoyed every moment of this book.I felt as though I was in Barbados. The story kept me interested and I felt I was part of it sometimes.
I will most certainly be buying more of Callie's books

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