Reviews

Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid

kirjoihinkadonnut's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

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

2.75

jujuwithbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-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

5.0

floralfox's review against another edition

4.0

I just read on Wikipedia that Kincaid said Annie and Gwen's relationship was not a homosexual one, but one where they were "practicing" and it would always be assumed that they would go on to lead heterosexual lives. I found this interesting. I thought Annie and Gwen had, literally, (well, in the childish way) fallen in love with each other. I thought the way this was treated in the novel, nonchalantly, was excellent. I'm almost disappointed that this was not how it was intended, though I do like that there is a new way to look at these girls' relationship.

I thought the reveal towards the end that Annie was called "Little Miss" because her mother was also named Annie was excellent. First we were introduced to them and their closeness, then their gap and separation, where they seem completely opposite (or Annie purposefully goes against anything her mother praises or likes). The name reveal made me open my eyes and see that they were really quite similar.

kbrownreads's review against another edition

3.0

eh

alesun09's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

kamckim's review against another edition

3.0

I really didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Some passages were interesting in a Jungian way, but I can’t identify with any of Kincaid’s mother-daughter dynamics. I need to do some more reading and critical research to understand it. I’ve always felt that my mother’s home is my home, and I’m happy to say that I’m grateful for her love and support over these years. I don’t think I’ve ever been “ambivalent” about our relationship. My story is not another’s story, though, so I’m glad to have heard someone else in her own voice.

joelkarpowitz's review against another edition

3.0

A coming of age story about a young girl in Antigua navigating her growing independence and her up-and-down relationship with her mother. So, you know, right down my alley.

Then again, that's what books are for, in part, right? Getting outside your own experience, growing in empathy, seeing the world from eyes wildly different from your own. Kincaid's writing is readable, honest, and thought-provoking, even if it's relatively light on "plot." Still, Annie John is as "true" a character as I've read recently, full if the paradoxes, and pride and doubt that seems to beset many teenage girls. (Of course my experience is second-hand, but as a high school teacher I've had a lot if contact with young women this age.) it's a short read, but a compelling one. Worth a look.

lannainthelibrary's review against another edition

2.0

I really wanted to like this book, because I’m such a fan of Jamaica Kinkaid’s writing. I did find it engaging at first, I enjoyed the descriptions of Annie’s childhood in Antigua, and her relationship with her mother as a child. But I just could not connect with Annie’s character throughout the story. The characters were not especially engaging or relatable and engaging and this, combined with the rushed feeling of the plot towards the end of the book, detracted from Kincaid’s beautiful imagery.

biancaberselli's review against another edition

2.0

I had to read this for school, so it was not my choice. However, I did get quite confused by her daydreams and her normal dreams compared to her real life. The whole novel seemed boring to me and it did not catch my attention, until the last 3 pages when she left for England and her goodbyes to her parents. I do not recommend it, however some people might enjoy it depending on their taste in reading.

chanteld's review against another edition

5.0

This was just so good. Now I feel as if this was my first time reading Annie John. Don't know why I thought I read this before because this felt brand new and so moving. Just brilliant storytelling. I can't wait to read more Jamaica Kincaid.