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Rating: 
Summary: Courage is beautiful
Review: "I want to stop crying but I can't." Flo is the eldest of Fay's siblings. Flo left home at the age of 13. When Fay was about 4 years old, Flo returned one day telling her mom she wanted to take Fay to live with her. Their mother agreed because Flo was looked upon as being able to give Fay a better life. She wore gold earrings in her ear, shoes on her feet and decent clothing, something reserved only for the rich. Fay was excited about going but didn't want to leave momma.Born Fay Myrtle, she grew up being called Clara once her sister Flo took her from her home with her mother and siblings. She tells Fay to call her momma. Desperate to please her man she prays Fay will keep her secret. Greenwichtown is told in Clara's (Fay) strong voice. When you're reading her words she drags you into the inner-city streets of her shack called home. Fay has the innocence of her youth, but the spirit, wisdom and insight of a seasoned woman. The hard knocks that she endures only makes her stronger mentally. I really enjoyed growing up with Fay over a 16-year period. Joyce Palmer had me laughing and crying along with Fay, Flo and their mother Miss Voy. I cannot say that this novel is for a certain sect of people for it is not. Everyone will get something from this book. One of my favorite quotes from Fay's teacher, which helped her take care of her business was this: "Only Education Can Change Your Situation." This book is definitely a page-turner. I was in Jamaica, barefoot, walking by the street gossipers and talking patois, with every page I turned. Fay is no longer hungry, poor in pain or abused. Reviewed by Missy
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: At time the bleakness of the characters' lives, the poverty, the hopelessness put me in a sorrowful mood. But at the same time, there was triumph as Fay a.k.a. Clara plodded through her miserable conditions in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, a town called Greenwichtown.
We see how another culture in the Diaspora of Africa struggles with their way of life and families. Faye was given no choice in who would raise her. Her sister, Flo supposedly could provide a better life. Sometimes she did, sometimes she did not. When Flo had a man, life was, if not good, was bearable and there was money for food and school. Faye learned survival skills but she also had a heart to pull herself out of poverty and despair through education.
Unfortunately she learned the lessons of the heart by being betrayed by a boy she thought loved her. Was she not worthy of love? Would her dreams be deferred by the disease that seemed to plague every young girl in Greenwichtown?
Joyce Palmer has written a compelling, stunningly real view of our Sister's lives in the real Jamaica, not the one we see on the cruises and advertisements. You feel you are there with the patois and the descriptive locations. At times I felt I could see the dirt, feel the despair. I would highly recommend this book
Rating:
Summary: Raw,Real,Unforgettable
Review: At time the bleakness of the characters' lives, the poverty, the hopelessness put me in a sorrowful mood. But at the same time, there was triumph as Fay a.k.a. Clara plodded through her miserable conditions in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, a town called Greenwichtown.
We see how another culture in the Diaspora of Africa struggles with their way of life and families. Faye was given no choice in who would raise her. Her sister, Flo supposedly could provide a better life. Sometimes she did, sometimes she did not. When Flo had a man, life was, if not good, was bearable and there was money for food and school. Faye learned survival skills but she also had a heart to pull herself out of poverty and despair through education.
Unfortunately she learned the lessons of the heart by being betrayed by a boy she thought loved her. Was she not worthy of love? Would her dreams be deferred by the disease that seemed to plague every young girl in Greenwichtown?
Joyce Palmer has written a compelling, stunningly real view of our Sister's lives in the real Jamaica, not the one we see on the cruises and advertisements. You feel you are there with the patois and the descriptive locations. At times I felt I could see the dirt, feel the despair. I would highly recommend this book
Rating:
Summary: This is a MUST READ book
Review: Greenwichtown by Joyce Palmer is an impressive debut novel. Palmer descriptively and vividly brings to life the sights, smells, and tastes of Jamaica as well as its rich history and vibrant people. Palmer introduces us to young Fay who lives in the destitute, rural and impoverished Jamaica that few tourist ever see. One day Fay's older sister comes to visit her mother and decides to take Fay back with her to the city for a two-week vacation. Unfortunately, the two-week vacation turns into years and Fay will be raised in an abusive and lonely environment with her sister. The burning question as one reads is why did Fay's older sister uproot Fay from her mom and other siblings. Palmer writes with raw talent a lyrical and eloquent story about family, life, hope, love and redemption. Her writing is believable and realistic as she portrays the blight and plight of young Fay's life. The reader will cry, lol and rejoice as Fay comes of age and jumps off the pages into our lives. Greenwichtown is a well-written novel with a tight and sound story that I recommend to anyone looking for a refreshing change of pace. I anxiously await future releases from this young and talented author. APOOO Bookclub
Rating:
Summary: A Book That Deserves More Attention!
Review: Greenwichtown by Joyce Palmer is an impressive debut novel. Palmer descriptively and vividly brings to life the sights, smells, and tastes of Jamaica as well as its rich history and vibrant people. Palmer introduces us to young Fay who lives in the destitute, rural and impoverished Jamaica that few tourist ever see. One day Fay's older sister comes to visit her mother and decides to take Fay back with her to the city for a two-week vacation. Unfortunately, the two-week vacation turns into years and Fay will be raised in an abusive and lonely environment with her sister. The burning question as one reads is why did Fay's older sister uproot Fay from her mom and other siblings. Palmer writes with raw talent a lyrical and eloquent story about family, life, hope, love and redemption. Her writing is believable and realistic as she portrays the blight and plight of young Fay's life. The reader will cry, lol and rejoice as Fay comes of age and jumps off the pages into our lives. Greenwichtown is a well-written novel with a tight and sound story that I recommend to anyone looking for a refreshing change of pace. I anxiously await future releases from this young and talented author. APOOO Bookclub
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Realistic Superb book
Review: I COULDN'T PUT GREENWICHTOWN DOWN. I WAS IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE BOOK ON THE FIRST PAGE. THE MAIN CHARACTER, THE LITTLE GIRL NAMED FAY FELT SO REAL TO ME THAT MANY TIMES WHILE READING THE BOOK I WANTED TO REACH OUT, HUG HER AND COMFORT HER. SHE HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO SUCH A HORRIBLE CHILDHOOD THAT THE ENDING MADE ME CRY. I HAVEN'T READ A BOOK THAT HAS TOUCHED ME SO DEEPLY.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!!!
Review: I just had to E-mail the author Joyce Palmer and tell her how much I enjoyed the book on so many levels. I had been to Jamaica several times and this book really brought the towns and people to life for me. I could imagine everything that happened to Faye and I felt her pain & despair and later on love & joy. It was a story of finding what was right & true and the unbreakable bond of Mother & child. I have recommended this book to several friends and they all came away with something different. Truly a wonderful story.
Rating:
Summary: Greenwichtown
Review: I was hooked from the very first page. Joyce Palmer describes life in the Jamaican country and in Greenwichtown with such vivid detail that I was transported vicariously to the world of Fay Myrtle. This book is not only touching in its frank description of life in a Jamaican ghetto; it also educates the reader on the effects of Jamaican politics and the caste system. The book is an easy read and used enough patois to be authentic without overwhelming readers who are not familiar with this language. Although there are numerous sad, dark, and shocking moments, hope prevails in the midst of hopelessness and the book will leave you smiling or crying, but definitely satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: ...Greenwichtown!
Review: I was hooked from the very first page. Joyce Palmer describes life in the Jamaican country and in Greenwichtown with such vivid detail that I was transported vicariously to the world of Fay Myrtle. This book is not only touching in its frank description of life in a Jamaican ghetto; it also educates the reader on the effects of Jamaican politics and the caste system. The book is an easy read and used enough patois to be authentic without overwhelming readers who are not familiar with this language. Although there are numerous sad, dark, and shocking moments, hope prevails in the midst of hopelessness and the book will leave you smiling or crying, but definitely satisfied.
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