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Hungry Ghosts
Hungry Ghosts | Kevin Jared Hosein
7 posts | 9 read | 16 to read
"This is a deeply impressive book, and I think an important one. Its intensity, its narrative attack, the fascinations of its era and setting, make it impossible to tear the attention away. Energy and inventiveness distinguish every page." -- Hilary MantelFrom an unforgettable new voice in Caribbean literature, a sweeping story of two families colliding in 1940s Trinidad--and a chilling mystery that shows how interconnected their lives truly are Trinidad in the 1940s, nearing the end of American occupation and British colonialism. On a hill overlooking Bell Village sits the Changoor farm, where Dalton and Marlee Changoor live in luxury unrecognizable to those who reside in the farm's shadow. Down below is the Barrack, a ramshackle building of wood and tin, divided into rooms occupied by whole families. Among these families are the Saroops--Hans, Shweta, and their son, Krishna, all three born of the barracks. Theirs are hard lives of backbreaking work, grinding poverty, devotion to faith, and a battle against nature and a social structure designed to keep them where they are.But when Dalton goes missing and Marlee's safety is compromised, farmhand Hans is lured by the promise of a handsome stipend to move to the farm as a watchman. As the mystery of Dalton's disappearance unfolds, the lives of the wealthy couple and those who live in the barracks below become insidiously entwined, their community changed forever and in shocking ways.A searing and singular novel of religion, class, family, and historical violence, and rooted in Trinidad's wild pastoral landscape and inspired by oral storytelling traditions, Hungry Ghosts is deeply resonant of its time and place while evoking the roots and ripple effects of generational trauma and linked histories; the lingering resentments, sacrifices, and longings that alter destinies; and the consequences of powerlessness. Lyrically told and rendered with harrowing beauty, Hungry Ghosts is a stunning piece of storytelling and an affecting mystery, from a blazingly talented writer.
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charl08
Hungry Ghosts | Kevin Jared Hosein
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Can check one off my list!

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Itchyfeetreader
Hungry Ghosts | Kevin Jared Hosein
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Pickpick

At times a little too much on language this is mostly the right side of lyrical and is a damning tale about the impact of poverty, casual racism and more set against the backdrop of a challenging colonial history in Trinidad. I understand why people say this is an important book and even a great one but I am not sure I would reread !

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ClairesReads
Hungry Ghosts | Kevin Jared Hosein
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A powerful novel that explores the multicultural world of Trinidad in the 1940s. In the spirit of clear reviews this novel is relentless bleak but in my reading experience I felt that this story needed to be so, to truly capture the nature of life and survival in a highly stratified society that had been shaped so significantly by imperialism. Hosein‘s writing reminded me a lot of Rohinton Mistry‘s A Fine Balance, which is high praise from me.

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JenP
Hungry Ghosts | Kevin Jared Hosein
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Pickpick

This has been getting some buzz for possible Booker prize long list. Set in Trinidad in the 1940s, this novel tells the tale of a poor family who find themselves intertwined with a wealthy family. The novel explores colonialism, social class, religion, and violence that emerges when groups clash. It‘s an unrelentingly dark book. I didn‘t particularly enjoy it but recognize it‘s merits. I did enjoy learning about the concept of hungry ghosts.

squirrelbrain Great review - I didn‘t really like it either (far too dark) but I can see why others do, and it‘s certainly a ‘Booker book‘ (edited) 1y
JenP @squirrelbrain I‘m not convinced it will make the long list but I seem alone in that belief 😂 1y
23 likes2 comments
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ashw21
Hungry Ghosts | Kevin Jared Hosein
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Set in 1940s Trinidad, this is compelling historical fiction exploring class, privilege and injustice. Maree and Dalton Chagoor live exuberantly in a mansion overlooking the village and extreme poverty. When Dalton disappears, Maree offers a generous stipend to Hans, a poor labourer, to serve as her watchman and this sets the plot for the story.

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squirrelbrain
Hungry Ghosts | Kevin Jared Hosein
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From the reviews I knew this was going to be a tough read, but it was VERY dark. Set in 1940s #trinidad, much of the story takes place in the ‘barrack‘; the remnants of slave housing, where the incredibly poor eke out their ‘lesser lives‘. Another storyline features the disappearance of a local reclusive landowner, but it‘s all inter-connected.

There‘s no light anywhere in this novel, hence why it‘s touted as a Booker nominee. It‘s one of ⬇️

squirrelbrain …those books that you hesitate to recommend because it‘s so tough but, weirdly, I grew to appreciate it. TW for animal abuse. @TrishB - there were even more dead dogs later on in the book. 😬 #netgalley Published next week in the UK. (edited) 2y
TrishB Great review Helen 👍🏻 I‘ve cancelled the pre order for now. 2y
See All 16 Comments
JamieArc “There‘s no light anywhere in this novel, hence why it‘s touted as a Booker nominee.” 😆. Oh my. Why do I subject myself to such books? 2y
BarbaraBB What @JamieArc says 😂😂 2y
MicheleinPhilly Dead dogs? Hard pass! 2y
Suet624 @JamieArc same here. 🤪 2y
Megabooks I think I‘m going to skip this, but excellent review Helen. 2y
Librarybelle Excellent review! I‘m passing on this one. 2y
CarolynM Sounds like you've taken one for the team. Great review, but definitely not stacked😆 2y
Hooked_on_books I tend toward darker books, so I‘m glad you mentioned the dead dogs. No way! 2y
Cinfhen I had this one stacked but I feel like im gonna hold off - I can‘t do REALLY DARK right now or animal cruelty 2y
azulaco I have this one on my possibles list for #readingtheamericas2023 as well. We‘ll see if I feel like reading it when I get to #trinidad. 2y
KarenUK It‘s a nope for me…. But great review Helen! 💕 2y
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