Scan barcode
steobr508's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
katieinca's review against another edition
3.0
The prose is beautiful. There's some harsh reality. It would probably make a great book club read, but it felt like something I've read several times before.
africanbookaddict's review against another edition
3.0
!!! https://africanbookaddict.com/2016/07/27/the-star-side-of-bird-hill-by-naomi-jackson/
I bought this late last year partly because of the sassy book cover and because Naomi Jackson (the author) is an alum of Williams College - Middlebury's (my alma mater) sister liberal arts school in the boonies! This was a very decent coming-of-age story. I liked Naomi's easy-going and descriptive writing style. Her descriptions of Barbados definitely make this a great summer read. I felt like I was with the characters on the sandy beaches and I could even hear the voices of both Dionne and Phaedra in this book - that's how thorough Naomi's descriptions are.
I didn't expect this book to be as deep as it was. Issues of depression, mental illness, death, divorce, suicide, homosexuality, bi-cultural upbringing, Christianity, voodoo etc are all tackled in this book. I really admired the strength of Hyacinth - Dionne and Phaedra's grandma. I love books that highlight the strength of women! Some of the incidences in the book seemed far-fetched and I definitely have some questions to ask Naomi Jackson if I ever get the chance to meet her. I sensed some similarities in this storyline to Danticat's 'Breath, Eyes, Memory' - even though Danticat took the themes of mother-daughter relationships, depression, sexual assault and suicide to another (mature) level...
More on africanbookaddict.com!
I bought this late last year partly because of the sassy book cover and because Naomi Jackson (the author) is an alum of Williams College - Middlebury's (my alma mater) sister liberal arts school in the boonies! This was a very decent coming-of-age story. I liked Naomi's easy-going and descriptive writing style. Her descriptions of Barbados definitely make this a great summer read. I felt like I was with the characters on the sandy beaches and I could even hear the voices of both Dionne and Phaedra in this book - that's how thorough Naomi's descriptions are.
I didn't expect this book to be as deep as it was. Issues of depression, mental illness, death, divorce, suicide, homosexuality, bi-cultural upbringing, Christianity, voodoo etc are all tackled in this book. I really admired the strength of Hyacinth - Dionne and Phaedra's grandma. I love books that highlight the strength of women! Some of the incidences in the book seemed far-fetched and I definitely have some questions to ask Naomi Jackson if I ever get the chance to meet her. I sensed some similarities in this storyline to Danticat's 'Breath, Eyes, Memory' - even though Danticat took the themes of mother-daughter relationships, depression, sexual assault and suicide to another (mature) level...
More on africanbookaddict.com!
barefootmegz's review against another edition
3.0
I can’t decide what made me request this book. The cover is bright and striking and… well, not very “pretty”, but it certainly says something. The description sounds fairly generic – coming of age and immigration stories are a dime a dozen.
There is a possibility that I requested it purely because the story is set in Barbados, and I had never read anything set there before.
But I’m glad I did.
Honestly, I delayed starting this ARC, and I struggled a little to get into it. But The Star Side of Bird Hill has a rhythm, much like the Caribbean does, and once I identified that rhythm the reading went wonderfully.
I am beginning to identify that Caribbean literature has a very specific nuance to it. It requires an entirely different mindset to read, just as South African literature is different to Western literature.
There is no real plot to this novel. Although mostly chronological, it is more of an analysis of the characters upon the background of Barbados and her history, than a plot-driven novel. It doesn’t make a POINT, but it fosters thought. Major themes such as belonging, roots, depression and the history of slavery are addressed, but the reader is left to draw her own conclusions. I enjoyed that. Not every book set in a developing country has to make an ideological statement.
Individually, Hyacinth, Phaedra and Dionne are not entirely memorable characters that I grew close to. But together they form an entity that won’t let this book disappear from my memory.
Additionally, I feel that I learned a bit about Barbados, which was my very first hope when reading this book.
With the right kind of marketing, The Star Side of Bird Hill has what it takes to become one of the big debuts of the year.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from Penguin Group in exchange for an honest review.
There is a possibility that I requested it purely because the story is set in Barbados, and I had never read anything set there before.
But I’m glad I did.
Honestly, I delayed starting this ARC, and I struggled a little to get into it. But The Star Side of Bird Hill has a rhythm, much like the Caribbean does, and once I identified that rhythm the reading went wonderfully.
I am beginning to identify that Caribbean literature has a very specific nuance to it. It requires an entirely different mindset to read, just as South African literature is different to Western literature.
There is no real plot to this novel. Although mostly chronological, it is more of an analysis of the characters upon the background of Barbados and her history, than a plot-driven novel. It doesn’t make a POINT, but it fosters thought. Major themes such as belonging, roots, depression and the history of slavery are addressed, but the reader is left to draw her own conclusions. I enjoyed that. Not every book set in a developing country has to make an ideological statement.
Individually, Hyacinth, Phaedra and Dionne are not entirely memorable characters that I grew close to. But together they form an entity that won’t let this book disappear from my memory.
Additionally, I feel that I learned a bit about Barbados, which was my very first hope when reading this book.
With the right kind of marketing, The Star Side of Bird Hill has what it takes to become one of the big debuts of the year.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from Penguin Group in exchange for an honest review.
earthseeddetroit's review against another edition
3.0
Just finished this on audiobook and, although I enjoyed this book, it was a difficult one. It dealt with some really challenging topics from depression and mental health, suicide, addiction, there were mentions of child trafficking and sexual assault as well.
My heart went out to the two main characters who were sisters who had been sent to live with their grandmother in Barbados after their mother’s decline in mental health and her ability to care for them.
I feel like the author did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of Barbados and island culture, a grapevine that would put any technology to shame, holidays and observances, the clash or collaboration of christianity with traditional Afro-Caribbean spiritual practices… I actually would’ve liked to know more about some of the traditions that were mentioned, practices like Obeah.
What was strong in this book was the role of grandmother, Hyacinth, and her efforts to raise these grandchildren, one of whom was a teenager and really testing the limits and boundaries, having come from Brooklyn New York to live in a totally different environment. Hyacinth was an herb woman and a doula, and she did begin to train her youngest granddaughter in these practices… I would’ve loved to read more about that.
There were a lot of phrases of old-time folk wisdom handed out in this book too. I appreciated it.
3.5 stars
My heart went out to the two main characters who were sisters who had been sent to live with their grandmother in Barbados after their mother’s decline in mental health and her ability to care for them.
I feel like the author did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of Barbados and island culture, a grapevine that would put any technology to shame, holidays and observances, the clash or collaboration of christianity with traditional Afro-Caribbean spiritual practices… I actually would’ve liked to know more about some of the traditions that were mentioned, practices like Obeah.
What was strong in this book was the role of grandmother, Hyacinth, and her efforts to raise these grandchildren, one of whom was a teenager and really testing the limits and boundaries, having come from Brooklyn New York to live in a totally different environment. Hyacinth was an herb woman and a doula, and she did begin to train her youngest granddaughter in these practices… I would’ve loved to read more about that.
There were a lot of phrases of old-time folk wisdom handed out in this book too. I appreciated it.
3.5 stars
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
This is adult fiction that is accessible to young adults (not middle school students, IMO). The prose is loose and lovely and I feel like I've been to Barbados because of the accessible imagery and dialogue. Totally character-driven, we dive into the lives of complex lives of Hyacinth and her granddaughters Dionne (16) and Phaedra (10). Jackson nods to Ngozi Adichie, Kincaid, and Danticat--and I see how this work fits into a bigger movement of fiction that weaves together the homeland and life in the U.S. and then the homeland again. Beautiful and complicated.
meghan111's review against another edition
4.0
Two sisters from Brooklyn are sent to Barbados for the summer to stay with their grandmother. Dionne is a teenager and Phaedra is a few years younger, and they reminded me of Maybonne and Marlys from Lynda Barry's comic. Just such masterful coming-of-age characters and descriptions. I really enjoyed this.
oliviaoo's review against another edition
4.0
Naomi Jackson packed a whole lot of wisdom into this book! Wow