Rating: 
Summary: Poverty, Pain and Abuse
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: Greenwichtown
Review: A wild, wild tale of a young girl living in Greenwichtown and has to endure voilence and ugliness on a daily basis until later on in the book were she leaves the country to look for work and try to support her family. And boy were they really poor. A lot of scenes are graphic and would have you in therepy if you had to witness the scenes the way Fay Myrtle had to. It was a nicely written novel but life in Greenwichtown I would wish on my worst enemy.
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: This is a MUST READ book
Review: I could not put this book down.. I became Fay, seeing, tasting and smelling things through her eyes.. I was torn when she was ripped from her mothers home and all that was familiar.. I greived her new life of hunger, poverty, and shame.. and her disappointment of bearing unwanted twins and having the man she loved abandon her to raise fatherless children.. But it is a story of hope and courage as she takes her one opportunity and turns her life on a new course. This book is so full of compassion, and it leaves you feeling so ashamed for ever complaining about a thing. This is an absolute must read...a page turner.. and something that lasts deep within your soul.
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: 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: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: I couldn't put this book down once I started it, which has been a rarity for me lately!! Most of us think of Jamaica as just sunshine and beaches. Greenwichtown shows us what life is like for the children growing up in poverty on the island. It isn't all pretty but it is fascinating for those of us that have never had to experience this type of poverty. The book was well written and is heartwrenching. Definitely an eye-opener!!!
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