Annie John

Rating:
Summary: There are no words...
Review: I can't seem to find the right words to describe how wonderful "Annie John" is. What seems like an uneventful story of a girl's coming-of-age is so much more underneath. For a long time, Annie John has been her mother's constant companion- cooking in the kitchen, buying things at market, gardening, washing clothes...all these bond Annie with her mother, whom she worships. Annie's father is quite the philanderer, and even has children with other women. But her mother is his wife, and she is their only child, whom they refer to as "Little Miss", and the apple of their eyes. All that soon changes when Annie turns 12; her mother, once adoring and embracing, becomes distant and demanding. Annie wishes she could return to the days "before all this 'young lady' business", but nothing can bring her mother back to her old self. Annie then begins to turn her affections to other girls at school, each one serving as a substitute for her mother.

Annie finds ways to hide things from her mother, which only makes her mother more suspicious of her. She refers to their rivalry and resentment as their "two black things" inside them. For everyone else, they keep up a pretense. But alone, Annie says she could see "the frightening black thing leave her to meet the frightening black thing that had left me" to explode in a rush of words never meant to be uttered that will change the rest of their lives.

Jamaica Kincaid is a unique and extraordinary storyteller, drawing on her experience growing up on the island of Antigua. What I appreciate the most about this amazing story is Kincaid's bravery to stick to a realistic ending, rather than opt for a 'happily ever after' finale. This should be required reading.

Rating:
Summary: A book of wonder
Review: this book shows jamaica kincaid writing skills. I also like the setting of her book. although she doesn't get straight to the point she does not let you get bored through the book it doesn't get boring. I would let anybody read this.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Traditional Story of a Young Girl's Life
Review: Once you open this book and begin to read it's contents you are immediately swept away to be with a family trying to make it by in everyday life. The main character, Annie, whom you will be following through out the novel becomes your friend as you go where ever she shall go. You really feel the struggles of this young girl who is trying to find herself and grow into adult hood. The author, Kincaid, does an excellent job in making you feel like you are right there in the midst of everything going on in this young woman's life. It is almost as if she is really writing about her own life in her native land. From the growing pains of being an adolescent to making great friends that will influence her this book is wonderfuly written. I would definitly recommend reading the story of "Annie John".