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clarereadstheworld's review
3.75
With the lovely British summer weather we've been having, I decided it was time to head back to the Caribbean, and to visit Grenada this time. My pick for Grenada is a collection of short stories written by Merle Collins. All but one of the stories form a collection called 'Doux Stories' most of which include the character Doux, either as a main or minor character. In addition to these Doux Stories, in this edition there is also the short story Rain Darling, which is very different, but contains similar themes of families ties and the hazards of life.
I really enjoyed the episodic feel of the Doux Stories. The reader is presented with a series of snap shots focusing on important moments in Doux's life, starting with her school years, and going right up until her old age. I found the last story, where Doux is an old woman and is visited by her deceased husband particularly touching.
I was a little puzzled by the ghost stories inserted in the middle of the collection. They were interesting and good, but I didn't feel that the fitted in well with the other stories which all had Doux as a main character. Ot was a little odd, but I do enjoy a good ghost story.
The stories also explore various social and economic issues faced in day to day life in Grenada. I enjoyed the way the speech was written, as the characters apoke with an appropriate dialect, including some Pattois. This really spiced up the narrative, and made the characters feel more rounded and realistic.
I really enjoyed the episodic feel of the Doux Stories. The reader is presented with a series of snap shots focusing on important moments in Doux's life, starting with her school years, and going right up until her old age. I found the last story, where Doux is an old woman and is visited by her deceased husband particularly touching.
I was a little puzzled by the ghost stories inserted in the middle of the collection. They were interesting and good, but I didn't feel that the fitted in well with the other stories which all had Doux as a main character. Ot was a little odd, but I do enjoy a good ghost story.
The stories also explore various social and economic issues faced in day to day life in Grenada. I enjoyed the way the speech was written, as the characters apoke with an appropriate dialect, including some Pattois. This really spiced up the narrative, and made the characters feel more rounded and realistic.
francinecallaloosoup's review
4.0
I'm Grenadian, so I loved these stories which brought back very many childhood memories
francinec's review
4.0
I'm Grenadian, so I loved these stories which brought back very many childhood memories
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