From the WINNER OF THE FORWARD PRIZE FOR BEST COLLECTION 2014 , a 'humorous, bittersweet fiction, combin[ing] the fantastical realism of Marquez with the domestic comedy of Andrea Levy' INDEPENDENT
From the WINNER OF THE FORWARD PRIZE FOR BEST COLLECTION 2014, a 'humorous, bittersweet fiction, combin[ing] the fantastical realism of Marquez with the domestic comedy of Andrea Levy' INDEPENDENT
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Summary
From the WINNER OF THE FORWARD PRIZE FOR BEST COLLECTION 2014 , a 'humorous, bittersweet fiction, combin[ing] the fantastical realism of Marquez with the domestic comedy of Andrea Levy' INDEPENDENT
From the WINNER OF THE FORWARD PRIZE FOR BEST COLLECTION 2014, a 'humorous, bittersweet fiction, combin[ing] the fantastical realism of Marquez with the domestic comedy of Andrea Levy' INDEPENDENT
Description
After the hurricane of 1974, Jamaica is devastated. Imelda Richardson is sent to England, without a place to stay or a plan of what to do. Luckily sheis taken in by Purletta Johnson, a member of the ex-pat bourgeoisie who has decided to become more Jamaican than any Jamaican: sucking her teeth, sporting a gold tooth and growing ganja on her balcony.
But when her mother dies Imelda returns to Jamaica. When Tessa Walcott's panties are stolen, she and Imelda set up a Neighbourhood Watch. But they haven't counted on Pastor Braithwaite who denounces them in Church. The church-goers turn on Imelda and when the river suddenly floods her home it is seen as a punishment from God. A Pentecostal fervour sweeps through the village of Watersgate, fuelled by Evangelist Millie. In her last great crusade, Miss Millie organises 'fire to burn their sins away', equipping the villagers with kerosene as they set about burning everything.Awards
Short-listed for Sundial Scottish Arts Council 2009 (UK)
Long-listed for IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2010 (UK)
Critic Reviews
“The hazards of homecoming lie at the heart of poet Kei Miller's charm-filled debut...a breezy good-humour pervades Miller's portrait of island life.-- INDEPENDENT”
The hazards of homecoming lie at the heart of poet Kei Miller's charm-filled debut...a breezy good-humour pervades Miller's portrait of island life. INDEPENDENT
About the Author
Kei Miller is 28. He divides his time between Jamaica and the UK and is currently teaching the Prose Fiction course at the University of the West Indies. His collection of short stories published by Macmillan Caribbean, THE FEAR OF STONES, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writer's prize for Best First Book.
After the hurricane of 1974, Jamaica is devastated. Imelda Richardson is sent to England, without a place to stay or a plan of what to do. Luckily sheis taken in by Purletta Johnson, a member of the ex-pat bourgeoisie who has decided to become more Jamaican than any Jamaican: sucking her teeth, sporting a gold tooth and growing ganja on her balcony.But when her mother dies Imelda returns to Jamaica. When Tessa Walcott's panties are stolen, she and Imelda set up a Neighbourhood Watch. But they haven't counted on Pastor Braithwaite who denounces them in Church. The church-goers turn on Imelda and when the river suddenly floods her home it is seen as a punishment from God. A Pentecostal fervour sweeps through the village of Watersgate, fuelled by Evangelist Millie. In her last great crusade, Miss Millie organises 'fire to burn their sins away', equipping the villagers with kerosene as they set about burning everything.
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