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A review by helenareadsbooks
Jamaica Ginger and Other Concoctions by Nalo Hopkinson
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
4.5
Nalo Hopkinson’s newest short story collection, Jamaica Ginger & Other Concoctions, is an immersive and enjoyable read. Within these fifteen stories you’ll find ghosts, aliens and cyborg pigs alongside discussions about the impact of climate change on the Caribbean and anti-Black racism. Amidst it all is the importance of hope, which is woven through the stories alongside queerness, humour, and grief.
I love the unique concepts of these stories—they captivated and fascinated me. Many of the stories focus on creating something new, whether it’s new cities or worlds, or new opportunities for a different life. The characters embrace wonder and possibility, and the stories are more hopeful because of it. This is especially true of the title story “Jamaica Ginger,” a story that’s about defying expectations and forging your own path. Other stories, like “Can’t Beat ‘Em,” “Covenant,” “Repatriation,” and “Propagation: A Short Story” defy reader expectations and imagine new futures.
I love most of these stories and my favourites are:
“Child Moon,” a story about motherhood and sacrifice.
“Covenant,” a story that focuses on community and healing the earth.
“Clap Back,” a story about injustice and truth that addresses anti-Black racism.
Overall, this is a well balanced and exciting collection full of inventive stories that dream of new futures and contemplate healing during times of grief and climate catastrophe. I highly recommend this book, especially if you’ve never read any of Nalo Hopkinson’s other works. This is a great introduction to her imagination!
Thank you Tachyon Publications and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC to review.
I love the unique concepts of these stories—they captivated and fascinated me. Many of the stories focus on creating something new, whether it’s new cities or worlds, or new opportunities for a different life. The characters embrace wonder and possibility, and the stories are more hopeful because of it. This is especially true of the title story “Jamaica Ginger,” a story that’s about defying expectations and forging your own path. Other stories, like “Can’t Beat ‘Em,” “Covenant,” “Repatriation,” and “Propagation: A Short Story” defy reader expectations and imagine new futures.
I love most of these stories and my favourites are:
“Child Moon,” a story about motherhood and sacrifice.
“Covenant,” a story that focuses on community and healing the earth.
“Clap Back,” a story about injustice and truth that addresses anti-Black racism.
Overall, this is a well balanced and exciting collection full of inventive stories that dream of new futures and contemplate healing during times of grief and climate catastrophe. I highly recommend this book, especially if you’ve never read any of Nalo Hopkinson’s other works. This is a great introduction to her imagination!
Thank you Tachyon Publications and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC to review.