Cereus Blooms at Night

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Summary: If you want to escape to another place and time...
Review: I agree that this book follows the same theme and characters as the Color Purple; however, I think the interesting characters, (especially the narrator) as well as the well imagined island country make up for the lack of originality. I don't know about other people who've read this book, but I thought the Nurse was a great narrator. I haven't come across such a sensitive and observant character in a long time. Also, the issue of incest and sisterhood is so universal that if it does merge with other stories, I don't think that it automatically scuffs off of the Color Purple. If one analyzes literature, most every theme merges together and gets recycled. I enjoyed this book--especially the way it took me away to another time and place.

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Summary: i loved it
Review: i loved the book i couldn't let it dow

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Summary: Passion and Pain deep in your heart will echo in this story
Review: I recommend this book to everyone I meet, even total strangers. Shani Mootoo has, intentionally or not, created a mythic journey from separatist, through eco-feminism, into transformative feminism.
At the center of the story is Mala, a woman insane from incest with her father. We learn of her life and generations of people surrounding it through the narrative of nurse Tyler, the first male nurse in all Lantanacamara, a rural district of India. From the father who's corpse lives still in a locked room deep in the clutter of Mala's house to Mala's sister Pohpoh escaped to America, to nurse Tyler who's astonishing transformation and new found love bracket the entire story, each life story is worthy of meditation long after reading the book.
Shani Mootoo's earlier book, Out on Main street, was rather monotonic in tone, though skilled. Cereus Blooms at Night, however, is a multifaceted gem.

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Summary: A magical and evocative book
Review: I think I must have read this book about 3 times and each time it weaves a magical web in my mind that takes days to clear. Ms Mootoo manages to take the minutae of life in a time gone by and make them real. Perhaps the book resonates with my own past a bit or perhaps it is just one hell of a well written book. I suspect it both.

Books are, obviously, a matter of personal taste and I know people ( who I bought copies for) who hate this book. I take issue with the reviewer who compares it to The Color Purple though. As far as I know the human condition is sadly limited to a few experiences. One might as well say that any book that writes about falling in and out of love is plagiarizing another. I suspect the only problem with Cereus is that it is such an intimate book..written from such a particular perspective about a particular place that it may not resound with all readers.

One of my friends in Trinidad who grew up in great poverty says that the book takes him back to his childhood and the little comfort corner in his mother's shed - I couldn;t put it better.

I woul also suggest getting her book of poetry..well worth it.

As an Irish born, half-Trinidadian Canadian I love this book....I hope that one day I will have the pleasure of meeting the author.

Rating:
Summary: cereus blooms at night
Review: In this novel the characters are not what they appear at first glance, a male nurse has sexual issues to deal with, another character wills herself to be a man, and the main protagonist is sexually abused by her father. The novel is very intricate and yet simple in its ability to make us look within ourselves for the strenght to endure life's hardships and to also downplay the effect of other's criticisms of how we have chosen to live.

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Summary: A Soul With Butterfly Wings
Review: This book was one of the few out of the many that I've read that is truly charming and exquisite. Mootoo's bravery and unabashed honesty were among just a few of the admirable qualities of this book. I had trouble putting it down at night, even when I had to be up in a few short hours. The characters are crystal-clear and the environment she paints is inspiring to anyone who wishes to write a novel someday. While the book had its heart wrenching moments, it was also full of triumph. Mala Ramchandin (the main character)has a story so rich in detail that you will feel the struggle every step of the way. This novel shines light on every facet of human emotion and it comes highly recommended!

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Summary: beautiful
Review: This is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful books I have read. The plot is original (although it did remind me a bit of the film Nell) and rich. I smelt and saw and felt everything Shani Mootoo described in this book. It is a magical book.
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is because some of the plot is a bit confusing at times. Eventually I got used to it and knew what to expect. So if you experience this keep reading and everything will clear itself up.

I recommend this book to everyone who wants to experience beauty and magic and love. I know I'll re-read this book many times!

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Summary: The Color Purple, anyone?
Review: Well, if Puff Daddy and Will Smith can make millions and earn critical acclaim by reusing other artists' songs, then I guess writers should be able to make millions and earn critical acclaim by rewriting other writers' stories.

I read this book almost a year ago and don't have it with me, so forgive me if I can't make specific references. I began CEREUS with high hopes. But something began scratching me at the back of the neck about halfway through. And then I had it! Sisters, each protective of the other. One bolder and less inclined to just accept her lot in life. Abusive, rapist father. Hmmmm... Gay and lesbian themes. Runaway sister, lost to the other. Missing, then recovered letters. !

Alice Walker's THE COLOR PURPLE, anyone?

CEREUS was a decent story; its descriptions were lush and lovely; and it was worth reading, but come on. Give me a break. If you can't come up with an original idea for your book, at least don't plagiarize a Pulitzer Prize-winner.

Rating:
Summary: beautiful
Review: What I found so beautiful about this book is that its characters are "outsiders". These people are those who would normally be shown prejudice and rejection in a closed-minded and oppressive society. However, we get to learn "WHO" these people are, not "WHAT" they are. Shani Mootoo explores real issues: sexual domestic abuse & rape, homosexuality, transexuality, and post-colonial racism. The setting is a fictious Caribbean island called "Lantancanamara". However, anyone who is familiar with Trinidad and its dialect will KNOW that Lantancanamara is actually a fictitous version of Trinidad. It is not common to come across a post-colonial novel with a setting in the Caribbean. You may disagree, but most West Indian novels revolve around slavery. Although colonialism is an element is "Cereus Blooms At Night", it involves REAL issues of life that many people deal with everyday. However, the characters are "outsiders" living in a less liberal society: Rural West Indian society. Shani Mootoo truly makes the entire novel beautiful. I love how she illustrates the characters. Her language is formal, but flows very well. It is not difficult to read. The novel does not drag or ramble on very much. Therefore, I did not find myself getting bored, tired, or impatient. I found it hard to put down the book. I did this for an independent study in school. Another girl I know also enjoyed th book and found in interesting. I believe the book goes well with any personality. It certainly exposes the pain and struggle that "outsiders" experience in a world of prejudice, violence, and oppression.

Rating:
Summary: A novel about outsiders
Review: What I found so beautiful about this book is that its characters are "outsiders". These people are those who would normally be shown prejudice and rejection in a closed-minded and oppressive society. However, we get to learn "WHO" these people are, not "WHAT" they are. Shani Mootoo explores real issues: sexual domestic abuse & rape, homosexuality, transexuality, and post-colonial racism. The setting is a fictious Caribbean island called "Lantancanamara". However, anyone who is familiar with Trinidad and its dialect will KNOW that Lantancanamara is actually a fictitous version of Trinidad. It is not common to come across a post-colonial novel with a setting in the Caribbean. You may disagree, but most West Indian novels revolve around slavery. Although colonialism is an element is "Cereus Blooms At Night", it involves REAL issues of life that many people deal with everyday. However, the characters are "outsiders" living in a less liberal society: Rural West Indian society. Shani Mootoo truly makes the entire novel beautiful. I love how she illustrates the characters. Her language is formal, but flows very well. It is not difficult to read. The novel does not drag or ramble on very much. Therefore, I did not find myself getting bored, tired, or impatient. I found it hard to put down the book. I did this for an independent study in school. Another girl I know also enjoyed th book and found in interesting. I believe the book goes well with any personality. It certainly exposes the pain and struggle that "outsiders" experience in a world of prejudice, violence, and oppression.