Rating: 
Summary: TERRIBLE
Review: I truly hated Annie John, the writing was too bland and I hope the book was not an autobiography like some say since Annie was pretty screwed up. For instance, Annie loves to go to funerals of people she does not know just to stare at the dead people. She also wants to tap the hump of a dead hunchback girl. Also, 90% of the book is just Annie griping about how much she hates her mother.
Rating: 
Summary: The Dark Side of a Girl's Coming of Age
Review: This book is not particularly for kids, although teenage girls may well identify with Annie's painful process of emotional disengagement with her lovely mother. In 8 slightly related vignettes Jamaica Kincaid bares her soul, as she recounts her psychological journey from adoring only-daughter of 10, into a resentful and rebellious teenager. Raised on the island nation of Antigua in the West Indies, Annie is very bright though somewhat small for her age. She impresses her teachers with her quick mind; she is immediately noticed by her new classmates as well, but they gradually realize her penchant for mischief, which increases to a general defiance of authority. Alas, as she matures Annie develops a dark side--weaving a web of lies, deceit, theft and flagrant disobedience. As a child she is surprised that even children can die; perhaps she is shocked by the death of her own childhood innocence. As a preteen she has secret or sudden friendships of incredible intensity; she is tormented by the desire for her body to ripen (lying top-naked under a full moon might help) and later by the jeers of older boys. Most of all Annie practices a secret life nurtured in her own devious mind, as her feelings of love and respect for her mother are twisted into veiled hatred--an unverbalized enmity of long-standing, which may be inevitable when women (which she desperately wants to become) are at war. Is this the only way she can proclaim her own identity, by this cruel and silent antagonism before a father who seems not to notice? Annie also wrestles with: conflicting beliefs about black magic; a terrifying protracted illness of both mind and body; and her confusion about her older father's sexuality. Walking the tightrope between modern ideas and centuries of vodoo practice, she despairs of escaping the confines of her island home. Must she travel to distant England in order to reclaim the right to her own womanhood? This is not a sympathetic protagonist, yet her inner struggle touches a poingant spring in the hearts of all women who have grappeled with the jealousy of maturation. ANNIE JOHN is amusing in parts, deeply provocative, and relevant to the universal woman, but with a distinctly dark side.
Rating: 
Summary: Brutally honest confessions of growing up pains
Review: Jamaica Kincaid's "Annie John" is an easy book to read. It is written in plain simple language and is so direct and brutal in its honesty you cannot but marvel at the courage and integrity of its author. The "no bull@#$t, warts and all styled" confessions of Annie John is prickly and edgy. You may even feel uncomfortable or negatively towards her. However you look at it, her growing resentment and alienation from her mother cannot be sufficiently explained by the developing sexual tension between the two women. It's inexplicable and that's the point. Kincaid is almost unapologetic about Annie's slyness, deception and faithlessness towards those around her. The emotional turbulence of adolescence, in particular the deep dark secrets of a little black girl growing up in Antigua, isn't an easy subject to tackle but Kincaid is in commanding form throughout and deals with it in a most arresting manner. There's also some great humour in there, like the "breadfruit" episode which makes the smile of Annie's mother resemble that of a crocodile. Sure, some of us may feel ambivalent towards Annie as she sets sail for England, but there's a startling honesty about Kincaid's insights into the heart of a bright young girl desperate to burst out of the confines of her home that is simply undeniable. Therein lies the value of this little book. Definitely worth checking out.
Rating:
Summary: Kincaid combines the two to give autobiography
Review: Caribbean author, Jamaica Kincaid, combines Annie John and At the Bottom of the River to give an autobiographical sketch of her life. Both have striking similarities and are about the life of a young girl, which happens to be Kincaid. At the Bottom of the River is a collection of short stories that analyze the life Elaine Potter Richardson (Kincaid's birth name) as she grows from childhood to womanhood on the Caribbean island of Antigua. One of the short stories, Girl, gives a list of commands to a young girl growing up with influential female family members. The commands, if followed correctly, will guarantee her womanhood. Annie John, on the other hand, is about a ten year old girl who is very concerned with the safety and happiness of her family. Near age 12, the girl finds deep disfavor and tries to imagine herself as someone else. During the course of the two works Kincaid changes her name to Elaine Potter Richardson. Great works to write a paper on!
Rating:
Summary: A little slow at parts
Review: This book was good in parts and slow in other parts; overall it was ok. I liked the style of Kincaid's writing and how she described the setting. She was able to make you feel like you were really there. But the book got slow in parts. There were not enough events in the girl's life to keep me interested. I think the book should have been condensed. This would have made it more interesting. I think this book is best for early to middle teens because the language is not too difficult and the book focuses on that point of her life.
Rating:
Summary: An easy read, but a literary novel
Review: A realistic, partly autobiographical novel that is emotionally affecting and a pleasure to read. Antigua is a captivating place in which to set the story, and like a former reviewer noted, the central female character is a breath of fresh air. It didn't knock my socks off, but it was definitely worth my time.
Rating: 
Summary: A coming of age novel that's actually about a girl
Review: I thought this book did an excellent job exploring the relationship between a mother and her rapidly maturing daughter. It was extremely enjoyable. So truthful which makes this work very emotional.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing novel
Review: I read this book 3 years ago and it didn't really affect me very much, however, I had to study it for school this year and I now I love it. Annie's sudden detatchment from her mother and the effect that this abrupt change has on her home life and her entire concept of love, is fascinating.She moves from a world centered on her mother and love to a world of lies,hostility, pain and betrayal. The 'black thing' is decribed in such intricate detail that one is able to actually feel the pain and hate that annie feels towards her mother. Her struggle to free herself from her past and the heartbreaking walk to the jetty provide one with food for thought.
Rating:
Summary: Why?
Review: Annie John is a horrible tale of a bratty, selfish 14 year oldgirl who has nothing else to do on her island, Antigua. Why this bookwas on my reading list I'll never know. How could someone find pleasure in reading a 100 or so page book on a girl who betrays her best friend, hates her mother, likes dead people and other strange things. While everyone in my class hates Annie they 'like' the book, but how is it possible for such a person to like a COMMING OF AGE book when you hate the comming of ager?
Rating:
Summary: Left a great impact
Review: This is one book that was an easy read, yet left an impact on me. It was sad at times, quirky at others, and all in all was a wonderful tale that once after reading it, you are left in a daze and just have to think about how weird and touching Annie is and how close to home Kincaid portrayed the development and emotions of a girl turning into a woman. I was amazed at the low ratings, just try the book, it is short and wonderful, and hopefully you won't be disappointed. Beautifully written and, not to ruin the ending, but slightly heartbreaking.
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