One People

By Guy Kennaway

Book Overview

Drawing on extensive time spent there, the author creates a slice of small-town Jamaica in his depiction of Cousins Cove, where everybody has a say in everything and no secret, dispute or relationship is private.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0862418291
• ISBN13: 9780862418298
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.8" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Simply Brilliant

Having read the book, I was saddened with the reality of Jamaican poverty and how many groups on the island struggle to survive. The characters are ignorant and desperate but always likeable and always funny, their sense of resolve is understandable in the face of such adversity. The writer, in his brilliance, captures the stark reality of life in Jamaica's poorest communities (the parts that rarely benefits financially from tourism.). This book clearly illustrates the political and socio economic framework, which still governs Jamaica today. With that in mind, Jamaicans are Jamaicans wherever they may be. We are the most resourceful people that have ever blessed this earth. This is reflected in the book, especially in the chapter "I know why they call U-Roy URoy". A strong influence on the author is Dr. Louise Bennett otherwise known as Ms Lou, the style is witty, anecdotal and tremendously on point. This is one of the best books I have read in an extremely long time

The funny bone to all things hilarious

I can only say thank you to Mr. Kennaway for this novel. In my books it is one of the eight wonders of the world. Upon viewing this book on the net I was drawn into buying it from only the excerpts. This book has stood up to the standards and stood its ground among them all. From start to finish I could not help but laugh out loud at the plots and characters for they are so real and likeable. You can relate each one to someone you know. Mr. Kennaway really hit the nail on the head when it came to this novel. It is one of my most treasured collectors item. I would be one of the people recommending it to others to read, for it truly cares any ailments. Laughter is truly a good medicine. Thumbs up to Mr. Kennaway on a book well written !!

Astonishing!

A real pleasure from start to finish.

Entertaining Vacation Reading

This book is an entertaining and informative story of life in a small fishing village located along the coast between Montego Bay and Negril, Jamaica. It is told in a series of humorous short stories, all centering around the villagers of the fictional town of Angel Bay. Much of the book is written in Jamaican dialect, which may take some decoding if you are new to the island (I had to use a dictionary to figure out what some of the expressions meant). While the predicaments which the villagers encounter are self-created through greed, shortsightedness, and ignorance, these are common human failings, and the author throughout shows respect and affection for the Jamaican people. The book is similar in its tone to "The Milagro Beanfield War", another book which provides humorous insight into the unfamiliar culture of a small ethnic community. I highly recommend the book to vacationers heading for the Negril coast, readers having a casual interest in Jamaica, or indeed, anyone looking for a humorous and well-written look at life in a small, intimate community of rogues, schemers, and friends.

I highly recommend this book, it is hilarious

I've read a few books of fiction set in Jamaica - Banana Shout, Book of Jamaica, but this one is by far the best. It was given to me by a friend who has lived in JA for 12 years and I tore through it in hours, couldn't put it down.The book is made up of several short stories but must be read in sequence as the stories build on one another. The characters are vivid and so real. The use of patois is a great addition to the stories, adds to the genuineness, if you will, without making the book hard for non-Jamaicans to read.I'll buy copies for all my friends who love Jamaica.