I've read the book, thoroughly enjoyed it. I love Hortense....I like the way she held herslef even in her worst times. Form talking to my Grandparents about their experiences of coming to England from JA in those days. I believe it was an honest account of what it was like.

The EXPO that Queenie went to was something I've actually read about and seen pictures of....and one of my next door neighbours, ( old white couple in their late 70's) remembers when that was running.

I enjoyed the book and thought it was well written, all the characters lives intertwined and collided towards the end.(Hortense and Guilbert adopting Queenie's illegitmate child with Michael)

I would like to see the book made into film. I think it's a story that White and Blacks need to see. Also because of the era it's set in the cinematography should be something special. The issue hasn't really been challenged in cinema as yet. We usually see the struggle of BLACKS in America but not of those in England.

Sorry..But Hortense is not an admirable character. She spends half of the book lusting afterher light skinned wutless adopted brother and the other half looking down her nose at Gilbert - who is the real heart of the book. The novel however is absolutely hilarious. I have a sneaky feeling that Andrea Levy - who is a jewish Jamaican -based Hortense on her own mother who she admitted was quite racist to fellow blackJamiacans. Hortense is being "sent up" terribly in the novel..she thinks that she can speak excellent English but white English people can't understand a word she says. The final insult is when the man she lusted after, Michael (who has a penchant for white woman) impregnates Hortense' and Gilberts landlady and Hortense ( not knowing this) agrees to adopt the child. This is perhaps Levy`s bitter revenge on Hortense for her Pride.

Did I enjoy the book...its one of the best I have ever read. DoI feel sympathy for Hortense? Yes, even though you feel she richly deserve her comeuppance. Is she evil? No, she is just very young, haughtyand and a little foolish.

Best bits..Gilbert in America; the race riot outside the London cinema; the Jamaica episodes especially the ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS bees episode and the ABSOLUTELY AMAZING description of how Gilberts donkey is stung to death by a swarm of bees.

Absolutely amazing novel. Buy it tomorrow.

@Madam Butterfly

The thread did ask, if you've read the book and what where your thoughts? You knew people where going to review it.

BUT Sorry for spoiling it for you.................

first up my comments were tongue in cheek, so don't tek it so serious second, you could have commented on the book without arbitarily giving away SPECIFIC plot points!!!


OH....I realise that.....I'm not taking it seriously. However I've never heard of a book review that doesn't discuss plots and characters.

Don't you think you should stay clear of this thread until you've read it. Just so that nothing else spoils your reading experience, cause it is a very good book.

seriously though I thought queenie - the white woman- was spot on, and the episode with michael comforting the missionary in the church was sly sly sly!!

i've recently read Shopaholic and Sister but have forgotten who it was by!!! it was great. So was the genre.banana.gif