The Autobiography of My Mother (Jamaica Kincaid on Audio)

Rating:
Summary: Worst book I've ever read
Review: This has got to be one of the most depressing books I have ever read. Not depressing in the sense that the tone of the book was depressing (which it was), but depressing in the sense that it was such poor quality. This was the first book I "attempted" to read by the author, since I couldn't waste my time trying to finish it. I am pretty sure I won't be reading any other books by Jamaica Kincade.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: This is my favorite of Jamaica Kincaid's, which of course is saying a lot. It is simply amazing. More complex and involved than her usual writing, it is a "hard" read, but definitely worth it. Also, if you ever have a chance to hear her read, it is amazing, and you will never read her in the same way again.

Rating:
Summary: A fast, but mostly unpleasant read
Review: This is the story of an unhappy woman who refuses to see or seek out any joy in her life. The overall feeling of the story is negative and depressing.

Rating:
Summary: A poorly written downer
Review: This was the first book by Jamaica Kincaid I have read. If this book is an indication of Ms. Kincaid's other works, it is also likely to be my last. I read the book while vacationing on the island of Dominica, where the book takes place. Dominica is strikingly unique, but I doubt I would have realized this fact solely on the basis of Ms. Kincaid's description of the place, which is so vague that it suggests she has never been to Dominica. But my greater concerns are with Ms. Kincaid as a writer. Throughout the book, she proves herself to be possessed of few literary devices, repetition (for effect?) foremost among them. How many times must we be subjected to descriptions of "saliva leaking from the corner" of a character's mouth, or "the wetness between my legs"? Perhaps there is imagery in the book that only a woman, or a poor woman, or a poor Dominican woman, can understand -- as for me, her repetition added no meaning to the character development or plot. As for the plot, someone should disabuse Ms. Kincaid of her notion that unmitigated misery and psychological negativity are sufficiently engaging to justify the publication of a book. I shall do my best to communicate this to her by not purchasing any other of her products.

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST BOOKS I'VE EVER READ!!!!!!
Review: This was the first book I've read by Jamaica Kincaid and it will be my last. This book was not only BAD it was depressing. Xuela didn't loved anyone because no one loved her. She was a bitter and angry person. The line "I did not know my mother because she died at the moment of my birth" was repeated about 100 times throughout the book. I don't know why the book was named "Autobiography of my Mother" because she never knew her mother and constantly throughout the book said so. She hated her father because he was in a position of "power" and took advantage of others. One other thing that bothered me about this book was her habit of touching her private parts in public and smelling her hands after. I found this hard to believe, that Xuela would be so "free" in Dominica at the time period in this book. Touching ones self is taboo among most black people, whether you're born in Africa, America or the West Indies. The only interesting part about this book is when her lover's wife confronted her in the street. Maybe if the book wasn't written in such a "defeated and depressing" way it would have been better but the author's tone contridicts Xuela's "I-don't-care-about-anyone" attitude. Xuela stated she was content or happy with herself, but the tone didn't suggest that at all.

Rating:
Summary: Pseudo-nihilistic garbage. A waste of paper and ink.
Review: What's the point here? It was never fully explicated, and the narrator does not inspire enough interest to carry this woefully inadequate plot - and I use that word loosely. Jamaica Kincaid needs to go back to domestic work

Rating:
Summary: difficult
Review: When first buying this book I throught it was gonna be about the author's mother. The book is about this girl name Xuela, who's mother died giving birth to her. Xuela father gave her to the woman who washed his clothes, and only visted every now and then. Xuela eventually moved back in with him and his new family only to move again with another family. I throught Xuela was one of the strangest characthers i've ever read about. Her views on things were so strange. The other thing i didn't like about this book, it had no dialouge, which mean a lot of long paragraphs.

Rating:
Summary: Get it now!
Review: Wonderful book! This book synthesizes the experiences of a young woman growing up on a Carribean Island. It provides a point of view into a world few people experience or understand: that of a young, sensual female and her coming of age. In a world dominated by white males, racial tensions and lack of racial identity, it's refreshing to see and hear the experiences of a culturally diverse, hybrid woman. And that's from a sociological perspective-- I don't even get into the artsy sensuality of this wonderfully written book! Anyone who read this book and cannot empathize with the woman and the plight of minorities is, well, cold-hearted!