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ritrotman's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
gtea_reader's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Misogyny, Alcoholism, Miscarriage, and Domestic abuse
andrenaemin's review against another edition
5.0
Title: A Brighter Sun
Author: Samuel Selvon
Publisher: Longman
Pages: 215
Challenge: Caribbean writers Challenge 2011
Rating: 5 stars
Summary:
The overall theme can be summed up in three phrases; “the journey from adolescence to adulthood”, “The Loss of Innocence”, and “The Quest and acquisition of knowledge”.
The story is set during the turbulent midst of the 2nd World War and centered on the lives of two young Indian peasants forced into marriage and trying to find their way through adulthood in Trinidad. It began with Tiger, young, surprised and naive, trying to prove that he is a man and is independent. With young bride, Urmilla, shy, bewildered and anxious to please, two hundred dollars, a cow and wattle and daub shack, he sets off to the unknown Barataria and adulthood.
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Author: Samuel Selvon
Publisher: Longman
Pages: 215
Challenge: Caribbean writers Challenge 2011
Rating: 5 stars
Summary:
The overall theme can be summed up in three phrases; “the journey from adolescence to adulthood”, “The Loss of Innocence”, and “The Quest and acquisition of knowledge”.
The story is set during the turbulent midst of the 2nd World War and centered on the lives of two young Indian peasants forced into marriage and trying to find their way through adulthood in Trinidad. It began with Tiger, young, surprised and naive, trying to prove that he is a man and is independent. With young bride, Urmilla, shy, bewildered and anxious to please, two hundred dollars, a cow and wattle and daub shack, he sets off to the unknown Barataria and adulthood.
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vivsread's review against another edition
5.0
I took it upon myself to start reading more books written by Caribbean authors that are about the Caribbean. This was a great read!
rociog's review against another edition
3.0
Set in Trinidad and Tobago during the Second World War, this novel aims both at painting a general picture of the economic, social and political facts of life of the time and period while also telling a smaller more intimate story about a handful of its residents in a forgotten village not far from Port of Spain. The jump from general to particular is ongoing and is not always handled smoothly. The narrative that follows Tiger and Urmilla -a young Indian couple- and Rita and Joe- their creole neighbours- is stopped in its tracks often to make room for statements about policy, building projects and rationing. I found the clear difference in tone, intent and narrative voice in these transitions a bit jarring.
The part that focuses on the more insular narrative, however, I found very compelling. Selvon expertly inmerses the reader into the world of these characters through the use of dialect and colorful description that bring to life a Caribbean full of sound, smell, rum, hard work and careless violence. In this sense the novel is reminiscent of García Márquez' stories of the Colombian Caribbean.
I particularly liked the way in which Selvon repeatedly calls attention to the sun and the living earth as the constants of the life of these characters, compelling them to action, providing comfort, meaning,joy.
"The sun spun crazily in the sky, like it had gone mad. It burned him. It had been burning ever since he could remember. But he loved it, because everything looked good when it was shining." (p.168)
The part that focuses on the more insular narrative, however, I found very compelling. Selvon expertly inmerses the reader into the world of these characters through the use of dialect and colorful description that bring to life a Caribbean full of sound, smell, rum, hard work and careless violence. In this sense the novel is reminiscent of García Márquez' stories of the Colombian Caribbean.
I particularly liked the way in which Selvon repeatedly calls attention to the sun and the living earth as the constants of the life of these characters, compelling them to action, providing comfort, meaning,joy.
"The sun spun crazily in the sky, like it had gone mad. It burned him. It had been burning ever since he could remember. But he loved it, because everything looked good when it was shining." (p.168)
bookofcinz's review against another edition
4.0
I read A Brighter Sun years ago, I think this re-read is exactly what I needed. There is something magical about reading about a place you currently reside at and I think that is what I loved most about this book.
Sam Selvon's A Brighter Sun follows the main character Tiger Baboolal, an Indian man from the rural part of Trinidad. Tiger gets married and through his marriage he is given a plot of land with $200TTD to start his life with his wife. Tiger and his wife moves to San Juan an up and coming community 4 miles away from the capital Port of Spain. In San Juan Tiger tries to fit in, learn what it means to be a man and more importantly tries to navigate the changing world around him.
Sam Selvon thrust us into a period of history where Trinidad and Tobago is still trying to figure out herself. She is caught between pre- Independence, the influx of Americans to her shore and the ranging war in Europe. Historically, a lot is happening and Selvon uses that to tell a story and show us how these things impacts our main character.
If you are looking for an in-depth look into live in Trinidad and Tobago during the 1930s, this is definitely a book you want to pick up. If you are looking for a memorable character- trust me, you wont forget Tiger. A must read Trini book for me.
I read this for the #ReadCaribbean challenge.
Sam Selvon's A Brighter Sun follows the main character Tiger Baboolal, an Indian man from the rural part of Trinidad. Tiger gets married and through his marriage he is given a plot of land with $200TTD to start his life with his wife. Tiger and his wife moves to San Juan an up and coming community 4 miles away from the capital Port of Spain. In San Juan Tiger tries to fit in, learn what it means to be a man and more importantly tries to navigate the changing world around him.
Sam Selvon thrust us into a period of history where Trinidad and Tobago is still trying to figure out herself. She is caught between pre- Independence, the influx of Americans to her shore and the ranging war in Europe. Historically, a lot is happening and Selvon uses that to tell a story and show us how these things impacts our main character.
If you are looking for an in-depth look into live in Trinidad and Tobago during the 1930s, this is definitely a book you want to pick up. If you are looking for a memorable character- trust me, you wont forget Tiger. A must read Trini book for me.
I read this for the #ReadCaribbean challenge.
tawallah's review against another edition
3.0
Rating is 3.5.
After reading Golden Child last month, I am happy to read more books set in Trinidad. This debut novel is a coming of age tale set during the final years of World War 2. We follow Tiger, a sixteen year old Indian boy who is being married to Urmilla. This is an arranged marriage and he moves from his hometown of Chaguanas, a sugar cane district to the more urban village of Barataria. Here Tiger struggles to define manhood.
This short novel was unexpectedly humorous. Selvon presents the racial tension in Trinidad very matter of factly. But offers hope for the future through Tiger. The writing style reflects an author who worked in journalism, with the beginning of chapters providing background on the island. But as info dumps which primarily breaks the tension of the book. Despite this flaw, it is well worth the read. The imagery and themes are quite lyrical as there are obvious biblical elements.
Be aware, there is mild language, domestic violence but no graphic sexual content.
After reading Golden Child last month, I am happy to read more books set in Trinidad. This debut novel is a coming of age tale set during the final years of World War 2. We follow Tiger, a sixteen year old Indian boy who is being married to Urmilla. This is an arranged marriage and he moves from his hometown of Chaguanas, a sugar cane district to the more urban village of Barataria. Here Tiger struggles to define manhood.
This short novel was unexpectedly humorous. Selvon presents the racial tension in Trinidad very matter of factly. But offers hope for the future through Tiger. The writing style reflects an author who worked in journalism, with the beginning of chapters providing background on the island. But as info dumps which primarily breaks the tension of the book. Despite this flaw, it is well worth the read. The imagery and themes are quite lyrical as there are obvious biblical elements.
Be aware, there is mild language, domestic violence but no graphic sexual content.
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