Welcome to Litsy!

DROP EVERYTHING!!!! I have taught this book for ten years. But today I had to re-read certain chapters to work with a student and once I started that chapter I then went back to page one and read the whole novel in one session! ASTONISHING!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Guadeloupe is the main character of this fabulous text. The death of an entitled, self obsessed intruder simply a narrative device around which to develop a culture and community that is as complex and tangled as a mangrove. No simplicity here - racial divisions, gender expectations, education levels, connections to land and plants, rum even - all fascinating, varied. Reminded me of The Waves. Guadeloupe! I feel I‘ve been there!

Such a fuss about a little girl. 😮😥

...all equal once they were cold and stiff.

Perhaps those words, black and white, no longer mean anything! ...rum mixed with honey.

...except for the size of his penis, nothing tells a man he‘s a man.
.... 😂
🍆🌶🥕🍌?

the substance of the human heart... “I‘ve had enough,”...

“French France”, the distinction is important.

G is for Guadeloupe.
Only read four chapters so far but am enjoying being transported to this small community on an island far away whilst characters reflect on the death of one man. The voices are unique and enlightening. Initially surprised by the references to skin tones and ethnicities I am reminded of living in a country town of 500 people where this was exactly what happened, differences glared and were shamelessly labelled and stereotyped.

I got two books today for my reading around the world list from @steverogers I'm so excited for both of these!!!! 😆😆😆 One is set in Guadeloupe 🇬🇵 and the other is set in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 🇨🇩 #PassportLitsy

"I knew his mind was wandering in regions I could never reach." #crossingthemangrove

This book had a slow start, but once it got going, it turned out to be very interesting. I might have appreciated it more if I knew more of the history and culture of Guadeloupe, but it was still enjoyable. The characters were sometimes difficult to keep track of, but nonetheless developed and connected. I was so surprised at the end of the book when I read that the translator and the original author were married! I thought that was super neat.