Title: Growing Up in Barbados
Author: Sereta Belgrave
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-4797-8614-5
Pages: 134
Genre: Fiction/ Romance
Reviewed by: Gillian Pemberton
Pacific Book Review
In a relatively short span of reading time, Growing Up in Barbados chronicles multiple generations and addresses of variety of themes like poverty, abuse, sexuality, family, love and loss.
Naomi is an impoverished woman living on the island of Barbados. She works extremely hard to support her five children, each fathered by a different man. Her days are filled with hot, backbreaking work in the sugar cane fields. Naomi dreams of a better life for herself and her children; one that doesn’t involve living in a tiny, ramshackle house and an endless struggle to feed and provide for her family. She sees the way that the wealthy, white sugar cane plantation owner, Mr. Marshall, lives and thinks that if he were attracted to her, all her problems would end. A situation arises which puts Naomi alone with Marshall and when a child is conceived, Naomi believes her life is about to change. But, it is not to be. Marshall refuses to claim the child and disappears shortly after.
In just this brief episode, which is only the very beginning of the book, author Sereta Belgrave frames much of the story. She introduces the reader to the culture and history of the island of Barbados and shares an insight into what life for a poor woman on the island looks like. She also changes the status quo by introducing Louise, Naomi’s beautiful mixed race child who because of her intelligence and appearance will have different opportunities than her mother, but whose uniqueness will cause issues from childhood to adulthood. Her appearance makes her the subject of ridicule by her peers and draws unwanted and dangerous attention from older men.
Belgrave’s writing style is succinct and matter of fact. Not much time or words are wasted on setting or emotion. She lays out a story and allows the reader to draw their own pictures and form their own opinions and emotions. As a reader, I would have appreciated a little more depth in both the setting, which is potentially quite beautiful, and a bit more character development and window into the characters’ emotions. The author succeeds in telling a quick, engaging, and easy to read story, but there is the potential for so much more. Particularly, I would have enjoyed a greater exploration of the relationship between Louise and Naomi, and the family as a whole.
On a small note, though the author does a good job of presenting realistic dialogue that reflects the actual sound and inflection of her characters. The book would also benefit from a thorough editing, the most repetitive mistake being an overuse and misuse of the exclamation point throughout.
Despite its few issues, Growing Up in Barbados is a brave story of young woman’s journey through life. It’s a quick and engaging read that is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy realistic accounts, culture and history, and strong, complicated female protagonists.
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