Scan barcode
dinasamimi's review against another edition
4.0
A small book about a small place that may transform the way you travel and navigate the world as a tourist. Really outstanding writing in response to colonialism that still hits today.
lediamond4's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
A small but mighty book. Jamaica Kincaid packs a lot of heat into 81 pages, touching on colonialism, tourism, poverty, racism. For my “Read Around the World” challenge, I cannot imagine a more perfect book for Antigua.
It begins from the reader’s POV, touching ground on the tiny island of Antigua, obsessing over its exotic beaches with crystal clear waters, the unreal sunsets, and white sand, but seeing past how the natives of Antigua, live in abject poverty, serving the onslaught of white tourists who ruin the beautiful land. Kincaid then moves on to the history of the island and how it became yet another victim in England’s takeover.
She shared her own personal experience growing up on the island. There was an anecdote about the public library that she once loved and visited as a child that broke my heart.
Kincaid wrote about how the island was before and after English colonialism, what it is like now, and briefly spoke of its future. Her tone is both sorrowful and filled with anger. I felt every word she wrote.
It begins from the reader’s POV, touching ground on the tiny island of Antigua, obsessing over its exotic beaches with crystal clear waters, the unreal sunsets, and white sand, but seeing past how the natives of Antigua, live in abject poverty, serving the onslaught of white tourists who ruin the beautiful land. Kincaid then moves on to the history of the island and how it became yet another victim in England’s takeover.
She shared her own personal experience growing up on the island. There was an anecdote about the public library that she once loved and visited as a child that broke my heart.
Kincaid wrote about how the island was before and after English colonialism, what it is like now, and briefly spoke of its future. Her tone is both sorrowful and filled with anger. I felt every word she wrote.
aliciabelanger's review against another edition
2.0
I thought that this book was a bitter attack on tourism by someone who has taken no opportunity to understand the benefits or address them properly.
schumachr's review against another edition
4.0
i enjoyed kincaid's style of writing, but i can understand why it might put people off. kincaid explores colonialism, imperialism, tourism, and corruption in antigua. it's a very short read, but i think its brevity only adds to the points she's trying to convey.
esteaah's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute must-read. Short but informative book that truly captures your attention!!
africanbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
!!! https://africanbookaddict.com/2017/08/14/a-small-place-by-jamaica-kincaid/
This is the 3rd Kincaid book I've read and she's always been a favorite. Where do I even begin with this one? ...It's brutal. Its brutal for the reader (especially if you are a reader who is white), for Antiguans, the Antiguan government and the tourism industry. Kincaid's 'A Small Place' is full of vitriol. She spews harsh criticisms on her native island's truly dishonest and disappointing leadership as an extension of colonialism. She also critiques the whole essence of travel, tourism and even tourists - who are mostly white. At some point, I wondered if Kincaid condoned xenophobia, because the way she describes the ways fellow Antiguans and other folks from the Caribbean dislike tourists (to the point where she actually insults white tourists), it could be seen as quite hateful. But then again, I read this book/memoir as a satire, so taking Kincaid's frank critique to heart is missing the point.
When I reached halfway through the book, I began to wonder if this book was banned at some point. It had to be! I'd fear for my life if I ever published anything like this! I doubt 'A Small Place' is even sold in the Caribbean because Kincaid goes IN on (former) Prime Ministers of Antigua, Grenada and Haiti. She's really a ball of fire, this Kincaid woman!
But on a whole, this book is important. It reveals a lot of truth and exposes the bad leadership (well, I don't know if the government of Antigua has changed much) of her native island. Will African and Caribbean leaders ever put the citizens first? WHEN will the thievery, lies, corruption and dishonesty end? This book reminded me of Chinua Achebe's 'The Trouble With Nigeria,' but Kincaid's sour wit and sarcasm are 100 times more piercing than Achebe's.
Read 'A Small Place' and marvel at this woman's heroism.
This is the 3rd Kincaid book I've read and she's always been a favorite. Where do I even begin with this one? ...It's brutal. Its brutal for the reader (especially if you are a reader who is white), for Antiguans, the Antiguan government and the tourism industry. Kincaid's 'A Small Place' is full of vitriol. She spews harsh criticisms on her native island's truly dishonest and disappointing leadership as an extension of colonialism. She also critiques the whole essence of travel, tourism and even tourists - who are mostly white. At some point, I wondered if Kincaid condoned xenophobia, because the way she describes the ways fellow Antiguans and other folks from the Caribbean dislike tourists (to the point where she actually insults white tourists), it could be seen as quite hateful. But then again, I read this book/memoir as a satire, so taking Kincaid's frank critique to heart is missing the point.
When I reached halfway through the book, I began to wonder if this book was banned at some point. It had to be! I'd fear for my life if I ever published anything like this! I doubt 'A Small Place' is even sold in the Caribbean because Kincaid goes IN on (former) Prime Ministers of Antigua, Grenada and Haiti. She's really a ball of fire, this Kincaid woman!
But on a whole, this book is important. It reveals a lot of truth and exposes the bad leadership (well, I don't know if the government of Antigua has changed much) of her native island. Will African and Caribbean leaders ever put the citizens first? WHEN will the thievery, lies, corruption and dishonesty end? This book reminded me of Chinua Achebe's 'The Trouble With Nigeria,' but Kincaid's sour wit and sarcasm are 100 times more piercing than Achebe's.
Read 'A Small Place' and marvel at this woman's heroism.