Reviews

Not the best way to start 2017, but that's okay. Annie John is a very well written coming of age novel that unfortunately falls flat on its face. I was assigned this book for my Caribbean literature class and I'm not sure why. When compared to the other novels I've had to read, the role of the Caribbean setting, in this case the island of Antigua, is minor. Annie could have easily grown up in another country - and maybe that's one of the novels main points - but that takes a lot away from her potential uniqueness. Despite the often clear implications that Annie is a product of her Caribbean parents (with their odd habits like, in the case of her mother, preferring to see a witch doctor over a real one) I strongly feel that she is just reacting to her parents in a way that any intelligent teenager would. The fact that she is smarter only amplifies her desire to rebel. Her relationship with her parents, and particularly with her mother is done quite well, but (like much of this novel) didn't quite morph into anything. Without spoiling too much, the short story she recited in class was exceptional. Unfortunately Annie is also incredibly unlikable and hard to empathize with. That is not good.
It often feels like Kincaid is trying to hard to link Annie's relationship with her parents to her setting on the Island of Antigua and that ruins how seriously one takes the narrative. Annie's detestable character does not help either. This book just didn't work for me.

victoriatracy's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mekeisha's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

taaja's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

a short, but moving, coming of age novel that i really enjoyed! i especially loved and connected to annie’s strained and complicated relationship with her movie. i’m excited to read more from the author.

jreading's review against another edition

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emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

sophiemack99's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated

3.75

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