Reviews

At the Bottom of the River by Jamaica Kincaid

oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition

I think I came at this in the wrong sort of headspace. I was expecting short stories rather than free form, stream of consciousness prose poems, so that's on me. At the same time, I did struggle to differentiate each poem/story; they all blended together and none really stood out or made me sit up and take notice. Some moments of descriptive dreamlike horror/revelation/magic which makes me want to return to Kincaid when I can give her more focused time.

whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful and concise, this is more poetry than prose.

sofiarodriguez's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kathyreadsalot's review against another edition

Lost interest in this quickly unfortunately 

makeda_colourlit's review against another edition

challenging tense medium-paced

3.0

michaelttay's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

wordsandcyphers_'s review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Jamaica Kincaid writes very poetically. I feel that Caribbean mother's and daughters have a love hate relationship that is Passed down from generation to generation. Expressions of love are rarely displayed while growing up and you won't understand until you're an adult withstruggles of your won. Then, you realize your much alike-it' your mother after all. Ms. Kincaid describes this tug of war beautifully. Along, with their relationship with community and its surroundings.

I also, love Robin Miles' narration.

dameagles's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

theeuphoriczat's review against another edition

3.0

"For in isolation I am all purpose and industry and determination and prudence, as if I were the single survivor of a species whose evolutionary history can be traced to the most ancients; in isolation I ruthlessly plow the deep silences, seeking my opportunities like a miner seeking veins of treasure."

Woah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe that I had never read any of her works. The power in her pen was lightening!

This is a collection of short stories that explore a range of relationships, that of mother and daughter, person and nature, guilt and destruction, and the significance and nonfinality of things like death. It is quite amazing.

*Thanks to Picador for gifting me this book!

lsparrow's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this collection of short stories. It feels like you are reading stream of conciousness or a dream.